Fluoroalkylfluorene derivatives

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula D-S 1 -A-S 2 —B 1  wherein A comprises a 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradical of the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             wherein S 1 , S 2 , D and B 1  have meanings given in the description that are useful as charge transport and emissive materials for the fabrication of electronic devices such as diodes, transistors, and photovoltaic devices.

REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/GB2015/051164, filed Apr. 17, 2015, andclaims the benefit of priority of Great Britain Application No.1406977.7, filed Apr. 17, 2014, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds with electronic andphotoelectronic properties that render them useful for the production ofelectrical devices. The invention further relates to electronic devicesthat incorporate layers comprising these compounds wherein thesecompounds function as charge transport materials or photoluminescentmaterials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Organic light emitting diodes (OLED) are light emitting diodes in whichthe emissive electroluminescent material is a film of organic materialwhich emits light in response to an electrical current. The emissiveorganic layer of an OLED is sandwiched between two electrical contactlayers. For enhanced efficiency, in addition to a light emitting layer,the OLED device may incorporate layers of charge transporting materialbetween the emissive layer and the electrical contact layer. Thesecharge transporting layers may comprise either hole or electrontransporting materials. These charge transport materials can allow thecharge-carrying holes and electrons to migrate through to the emissivelayer, thereby facilitating their combination to form a bound statecalled an exciton. The electrons in the excitons in due course relaxinto a lower energy state by emitting radiation which, for an OLEDdevice, is of a frequency most often in the visible region.

There is considerable ongoing interest in the development of newmaterials with improved properties that are suitable for use in thefabrication of OLED devices. Materials that, for example, function asemitters, electron transporters and hole transporters are of particularinterest. Many materials have been developed over the years in theattempt to produce improved OLED devices and in particular devices withoptimal light output, energy efficiency and life time. In addition, afurther notable goal is the realisation of materials that allow thedevice fabrication process to be simplified. Notwithstanding existingmaterials, there is a continuing need for materials that have propertiessuch as those identified above that possess superior combination ofproperties for the fabrication of OLED devices and other electronicdevices.

It is known that some reactive mesogens (liquid crystalline materialscapable of being chemically crosslinked into a polymer matrix) of thegeneral formula:B—S-A-S—B

where A represents a linear aromatic molecular core comprising afluorene substituted with two alkyl groups at C-9, S represents flexiblespacer units and B represents crosslinking groups such as methacrylategroups, may be useful in the fabrication of organic electronic devices.This is particularly the case if B represents a photo-crosslinkablegroup, since then the materials function essentially as photoresists,which is to say, thin layers of these materials may be patterned intouseful electronic structures by patterned exposure to light,particularly UV light.

Further, if the linear aromatic core A is luminescent in nature, thesereactive mesogen materials may be patterned into the active lightemitting layers in electroluminescent devices such as organic lightemitting diodes (OLEDS) and organic diode lasers. However, working OLEDdevices of the B—S-A-S—B structure have exhibited disappointingly lowlifetimes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new fluorenecontaining materials for use in electronic devices which overcome, orsubstantially reduce, problems associated with existing fluorenederivatives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compoundof Formula (I)D-S¹-A-S²—B¹,  Formula (I)

wherein:

A represents —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— and comprises from 1 to 8 FL groups;

Ar¹ and Ar² in each occurrence are independently selected from the groupcomprising Ar^(a) and a bond;

Ar^(a) represents a diradical comprising 1 aromatic, heteroaromatic orFL moiety, or 2, 3, 4 or 5 aromatic, heteroaromatic and/or FL moietiesmutually connected by a single bond;

n is an integer from 1 to 8;

FL is a fluorene moiety of the structure

incorporated into the chain through covalent bonds at C-2 and C-7;

the R groups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₄ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionallywherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 CH₂ groups are replaced by an oxygen providedthat no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present in the Rgroup;

D represents a cross linkable group or, when B¹ represents a hydrogen, Drepresents —B²—S³—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a), —S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)(B³), or a cross linkable group wherein the dash at the left-handend of the chain represents the point of attachment to S¹;

B¹ represents a cross linkable group or a hydrogen atom;

B^(1a) represents a cross linkable group or a hydrogen atom;

B² and B³ each represents a cross linkable group;

S¹, S², S^(1a) and S^(2a) are flexible linker groups; and

S³ is a spacer group.

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of the formula Ia whereinthe R groups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain or branched achiral C₂-C₁₀ alkyl,C₂-C₁₀ haloalkyl, C₂-C₁₀ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, optionallywherein 1, 2, or 3 CH₂ groups are replaced an oxygen no acetal, ketal,peroxide or vinyl ether is present in the R group, further wherein D,B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL and n are definedas above for compounds of formula (I).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of the formula Ib whereinthe R groups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain C₂-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ haloalkyl,C₂-C₁₀ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, or 3CH₂ groups are replaced an oxygen no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinylether is present in the R group, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹,S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL and n are defined as above forcompounds of formula (I).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of the formula Ic whereinthe R groups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain or branched achiral C₂-C₁₀ alkyl andC₂-C₁₀ fluoroalkyl, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S²,S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL and n are defined as above for compounds offormula (I).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of the formula Id whereinthe R groups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₂-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₈ alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a),S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL and n are defined as above for compounds offormula (I).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of the formula Ie whereinthe R groups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₈alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,nonyl, decyl, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³,Ar¹, Ar², FL and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula If wherein nis an integer from 1 to 6, optionally from 3 to 6, further wherein D,B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL and R are definedas above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Ig wherein nis an integer from 3 to 6, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a),S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL and R are defined as above for compounds offormula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id) or (Ie).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Ih wherein Ar¹and Ar² in each occurrence are independently selected from the groupcomprising Ar^(a) and a bond, wherein Ar^(a) represents a diradicalcomprising 1 aromatic, heteroaromatic or FL moiety, or 2 or 3 aromatic,heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutually connected by a single bond,further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, FL, R and nare defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic),(Id), (Ie), (If) or (Ig).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Ii wherein Ar¹and Ar² in each occurrence are independently selected from the groupcomprising Ar^(a) and a bond, wherein and Ar^(a) represents a diradicalcomprising 1 aromatic, heteroaromatic or FL moiety, or 2 or 3 aromatic,heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutually connected by single bonds,and wherein the aromatic and heteroaromatic moieties are in eachoccurrence independently selected from the group consisting of1,4-phenylene, biphenyl-4,4′-diyl, terphenyl-4,4″-diyl,naphthalene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl,pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, perylene-3,10-diyl,pyrene-2,7-diyl, 2,2′-dithiophene-5,5′-diyl, oxazole-2,5-diyl,1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl, thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl,dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene-2,6-diyl, dibenzothiophene-3,7-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]bis[1]benzothiophene-3,9-diyl,thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole-2,5-diyl, oxazolo[5,4-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl,thiazolo[5,4-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl, thiazolo[4,5-d]thiazole-2,5-diyl,oxazolo[4,5-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl, thiazolo[4,5-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl,2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-4,7-diyl,4-thien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiazole-7,5′-diyl,4,7-dithien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiazole-5′,5″-diyl,imidazo[4,5-d]imidazole-2,5-diyl, 4-alkyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,4-aryl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,4-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,di-1,2,4-triazolo[4,5-f:4,5-q]-5,6,12,13-tetrahydro-5,12-diazadibenz[a,h]anthracene-5,13-diyl,9-alkylcarbazole-2,7-diyl, 6,12-dialkylindolo[2,3-b]carbazole-2,8-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl,[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-2,7-diyl,benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bisoxazole-2,6-diyl,benzo[1,2-d:5,4-d′]bisoxazole-2,6-diyl,5,5-dioxodibenzothiophene-3,7-diyl, or6,12-dialkyl-5,5-11,11-tetraoxobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]bis[1]benzothiophene-3,9-diyldiradicals, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³,FL, R and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If) or (Ig).

In one embodiment (e.g. an embodiment in which the compounds are to beused as hole transporting materials) there is provided a compound offormula Ij wherein Ar¹ and Ar² in each occurrence are independentlyselected from the group comprising Ar^(a) and a bond, wherein and Ar^(a)represents a diradical comprising 1 aromatic, heteroaromatic or FLmoiety, or 2 or 3 aromatic, heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutuallyconnected by single bonds, and wherein the aromatic and heteroaromaticmoieties are in each occurrence independently selected from the groupconsisting of 1,4-phenylene, biphenyl-4,4′-diyl, terphenyl-4,4″-diyl,naphthalene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl,perylene-3, 10-diyl, pyrene-2,7-diyl, 2,2′-dithiophene-5,5′-diyl,thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl,dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene-2,6-diyl, dibenzothiophene-3,7-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]bis[1]benzothiophene-3,9-diyl,9-alkylcarbazole-2,7-diyl, 6,12-dialkylindolo[2,3-b]carbazole-2,8-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl, or[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-2,7-diyl diradicals, furtherwherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, FL, R and n aredefined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id),(Ie), (If) or (Ig).

In one embodiment (e.g. an embodiment in which the compounds are to beused as electron transporting materials) there is provided a compound offormula Ik wherein Ar¹ and Ar² in each occurrence are independentlyselected from the group comprising Ar^(a) and a bond, wherein and Ar^(a)represents a diradical comprising 1 aromatic, heteroaromatic or FLmoiety, or 2 or 3 aromatic, heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutuallyconnected by single bonds, and wherein the aromatic and heteroaromaticmoieties are in each occurrence independently selected from the groupconsisting of 1,4-phenylene, biphenyl-4,4′-diyl, terphenyl-4,4″-diyl,naphthalene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl,perylene-3,10-diyl, pyrene-2,7-diyl, oxazole-2,5-diyl,1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl, oxazolo[4,5-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl,oxazolo[5,4-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl, 4-alkyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,4-aryl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,4-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,di-1,2,4-triazolo[4,5-f:4,5-q]-5,6,12,13-tetrahydro-5,12-diazadibenz[a,h]anthracene-5,13-diyl,imidazo[4,5-d]imidazole-2,5-diyl,benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bisoxazole-2,6-diyl,benzo[1,2-d:5,4-d′]bisoxazole-2,6-diyl,5,5-dioxodibenzothiophene-3,7-diyl, or6,12-dialkyl-5,5-11,11-tetraoxobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]bis[1]benzothiophene-3,9-diyldiradicals and further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a),S³, FL, R and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If) or (Ig).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula IL wherein S¹,S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) in each occurrence are independently selected fromstraight chain or branched achiral C₅-C₁₄ alkyl groups, optionallywherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 methylene groups are substituted for an oxygenatom provided that no acetal, ketal or peroxide is present, that isconnected to A through either a bond or an ether, ester, carbonate,thioether, amine or amide linkage and that is connected through either abond or an ether, ester, carbonate, thioether, amine or amide linkage toD, B¹, B², B³ or S³ as determined by the nature of D, further wherein D,B¹, B², B³, S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are defined as above for compoundsof formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii),(Ij) or (Ik).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Im wherein S¹,S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) in each occurrence are independently selected fromstraight chain or branched achiral C₅-C₁₄ alkyl groups, optionallywherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 methylene groups are substituted for an oxygenatom provided that no acetal, ketal or peroxide is present, that isconnected to A through either a bond or an ether, ester or carbonatelinkage and that is connected through a bond, an ether, ester orcarbonate linkage to D, B¹, B², B³ or S³ as determined by the nature ofD, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are definedas above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie),(If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij) or (Ik).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula In wherein S¹,S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) in each occurrence are independently selected fromstraight chain or branched achiral C₇-C₁₂ alkyl groups, optionallywherein 1, 2, 3 or 4 methylene groups are substituted for an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal or peroxide is produced, that isconnected to A through either a bond or an ether, ester, carbonate,thioether, amine or amide linkage and that is connected through a bond,an ether, ester, carbonate, thioether, amine or amide linkage to D, B¹,B², B³ or S³ as determined by the nature of D, further wherein D, B¹,B², B³, S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are defined as above for compounds offormula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij)or (Ik).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Io wherein S¹,S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) in each occurrence are independently selected fromstraight chain or branched achiral C₇-C₁₂ alkyl groups, optionallywherein 1, 2, 3 or 4 methylene groups are substituted for an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal or peroxide is produced, that isconnected to A through either a bond or an ether, ester or carbonatelinkage and that is connected through a bond, an ether, ester orcarbonate linkage to D, B¹, B², B³ or S³ as determined by the nature ofD, further wherein D, B¹, B², B³, S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are definedas above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie),(If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij) or (Ik).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Ip wherein B¹,B², B³, and D when it represents a crosslinking group in each occurrenceindependently represents a radiation activated cross linking group,optionally a photopolymerisable cross linking group, further wherein S¹,S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are defined as above forcompounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig),(Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), or (Io).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Iq wherein B¹,B², B³, and D when it represents a crosslinking group in each occurrenceis selected from the group comprising alkene cross linking groups,further wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n aredefined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id),(Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), or (Io).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Ir wherein B¹,B², B³, and D when it represents a crosslinking group in each occurrenceindependently represents an electron rich or electron poor alkene crosslinking group, further wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL,R and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib),(Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In),or (Io).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Is wherein B¹,B², B³, and D when it represents a crosslinking group in each occurrenceindependently represents a photopolymerisable alkene cross linkinggroup, further wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and nare defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic),(Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), or(Io).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula It wherein B¹,B², B³, and D when it represents a crosslinking group in each occurrenceindependently represents an alkene cross linking group selected from thegroup consisting of straight chain and cyclic α,β-unsaturated esters,α,β-unsaturated amides, vinyl ethers, non-conjugated dienes furtherwherein S¹, S^(a1), S², S^(2a), S³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are defined asabove for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If),(Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), or (Io).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Iu wherein B¹,B², B³, and D when it represents a crosslinking group in each occurrenceindependently represents an alkene cross linking group selected from thegroup consisting of methacrylate, ethacrylate, ethylmaleato,ethylfumarato, N-maleimido, vinyloxy, alkylvinyloxy, vinylmaleato,vinylfumarato, N-(2-vinyloxymaleimido), 1,4-pentadien-3-yl and1,4-cyclohexadienyl groups further wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a)FL, Rand n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib),(Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In),or (Io).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Iv wherein S³represents a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl group, a C₃-C₈cycloalkyl group, a C₆-C₁₆ aryl group or a C₄-C₁₅ heteroaryl group or achain consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl,C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₆ aryl and/or C₄-C₁₅ heteroaryl moieties eachindependently connected by a bond, an ether linkage or an ester linkageand wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), D, B¹, B², B³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and nare defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic),(Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), (Io),(Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It) or (In).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Iw wherein S³represents a C₁-C₁₄ alkyl group, C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl group, a C₅-C₆cycloalkyl group, a C₆-C₁₄ aryl group or a chain consisting of 1, 2, 3,4 or 5 C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl and/or C₆-C₁₄aryl moieties each independently connected by a bond, an ether linkageor an ester linkage wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), D, B¹, B², B³, Ar¹,Ar², FL, R and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I),(Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL),(Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It) or (Iu).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Ix wherein S³represents a C₂-C₁₀ alkyl group, C₂-C₁₀ haloalkyl group, a C₅-C₆cycloalkyl group, a C₆-C₁₄ aryl group or a chain consisting of 1, 2, 3,4 or 5 C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ haloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl and/or C₆-C₁₄aryl moieties each independently connected by a bond, an ether linkageor an ester linkage wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), D, B¹, B², B³, Ar¹,Ar², FL, R and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I),(Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL),(Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It) or (Iu).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Iy wherein S³represents a group consisting of three C₂-C₁₂ alkyl groups and twoC₆-C₁₆ aryl groups mutually connected to each other by a bond, an etherlinkage or an ester linkage; wherein each C₆-C₁₆ aryl group is connectedi) to the second C₆-C₁₆ aryl group by a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group, ii) to across linker B² or B³ by a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group and iii) directly to S¹and S^(1a) and wherein S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a), D, B¹, B², B³, Ar¹, Ar²,FL, R and n are defined as above for compounds of formula (I), (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im),(In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It) or (Iu).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound of formula Iz wherein S³represents a group consisting of four C₂-C₁₂ alkyl groups connected to acentral C₆-C₁₆ aryl group mutually connected to each other by a bond, anether linkage or an ester linkage wherein the end of each independentC₂-C₁₂ alkyl group not attached to the central C₆-C₁₆ aryl groupterminates in a connection to B², B³, S¹ and S^(1a) and wherein S¹,S^(1a), S², S^(2a), D, B¹, B², B³, Ar¹, Ar², FL, R and n are defined asabove for compounds of formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If),(Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir),(Is), (It) or (Iu).

In one embodiment there is provided a network polymer formed bycrosslinking a plurality of monomers of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib),(Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In),(Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It), (In). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy) or(Iz).

In one embodiment there is provided a compound with a structureaccording formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih),(Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It),(Iu). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy) or (Iz) for use in the fabrication of anOLED device.

In one embodiment there is provided an OLED device with an emissivelayer that contains 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided an OLED device with an emissivelayer containing i) a plurality of compounds of the formula (I), (Ia),(Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im),(In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It), (Iu). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy)or (Iz); or ii) a network polymer formed (or obtainable) by crosslinkinga plurality of monomers of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id),(Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), (Io), (Ip),(Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It), (Iu). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy) or (Iz).

In one embodiment there is provided an OLED device with a polymericemissive layer that contains 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, furtherwherein the polymeric emissive layer is formed (or is obtainable) byexposing a plurality of monomers to radiation, optionally wherein theradiation is ultraviolet light.

In one embodiment there is provided an OLED device containing apolymeric emissive layer formed (or obtainable) by exposing a pluralityof monomers of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If),(Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir),(Is), (It), (Iu). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy) or (Iz) to radiation,optionally wherein the radiation is ultraviolet light.

In one embodiment there is provided a device with a charge transportlayer that contains 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment here is provided a device containing a chargetransport layer containing i) a plurality of compounds of the formula(I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik),(IL), (Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It), (Iu). (Iv), (Iw),(Ix), (Iy) or (Iz); or ii) a network polymer formed (or obtainable) bycrosslinking a plurality of monomers of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib),(Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In),(Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is), (It), (Iu). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy) or(Iz).

In one embodiment there is provided a device with a polymeric chargetransport layer that contains 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, furtherwherein the polymeric emissive layer is formed (or is obtainable) byexposing the monomers to radiation, optionally wherein the radiation isultraviolet light.

In one embodiment there is provided a device containing a polymericcharge transport layer formed (or obtainable) by exposing a plurality ofmonomers of the formula (I), (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig),(Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), (IL), (Im), (In), (Io), (Ip), (Iq), (Ir), (Is),(It), (Iu). (Iv), (Iw), (Ix), (Iy) or (Iz) to radiation, optionallywherein the radiation is ultraviolet light.

In one embodiment there is provided a device comprising a chargetransporting layer that contains 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkylfluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided a device comprising an interfacebetween a hole transporting layer and an electron transporting layer,wherein either or both of said layers is a layer that contains2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided a device comprising an interfacebetween a hole transporting layer and an electron transporting layer asdescribed above, further wherein the device is a photovoltaic device ora thin film transistor (TFT) device.

In one embodiment there is provided a device containing a plurality oflayers that comprise 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, furtherwherein each layer is formed (or is obtainable) by an iterativesequential deposition and in situ polymerisation process.

In one embodiment there is provided a device containing a plurality ofpatterned structures produced (or obtainable) by exposing a plurality oflayers of material comprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, to apatterned area of radiation, such as ultraviolet light, that causes saidlayer of material to polymerise and then washing away the unexposed andunpolymerised material.

In one embodiment there is provided a device that contains two or moreof the aforementioned patterned structures, said structures beingcomprised of materials that are electroluminescent in nature, whereinthe wavelength of electroluminescence emitted by one patterned structureis different to the wavelength of electroluminescence emitted by atleast one other patterned structure.

In one embodiment there is provided a multicolour, dot-matrix displaycomprising a multiplicity of pixels of multiple colours each pixelcomprising one or more of the aforementioned patterned structures.

In one embodiment there is provided a device that contains two or moreof the aforementioned patterned structures, said structures beingcomprised of materials that are electroluminescent in nature, whereintwo or more of the aforementioned patterned structures are overlayed ina stack, further wherein the electroluminescent wavelength of two ormore of the patterned structures in each stack is different.

In one embodiment there is provided a device containing a polymerisedliquid crystalline material that comprises 2,7-disubstituted9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided a device containing a glass formed(or obtainable) by cooling a liquid crystalline material that comprises2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided a device containing a polymerisednematic liquid crystalline material that comprises 2,7-disubstituted9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided an device containing a polymericmatrix, formed (or obtainable) by exposing a liquid crystalline fluidcontaining molecules comprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkylfluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, toradiation, optionally wherein the radiation is ultraviolet light.

In one embodiment the OLED device containing a polymeric matrixdescribed above is characterised in that the matrix comprises a nematicliquid crystalline structure which has been locked in place.

In one embodiment there is provided an OLED device containing a lightemitting layer which comprises a material with a uniformly alignedliquid crystalline structure containing molecules comprising2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups such thatsaid light emitting layer emits linearly polarised light.

In one embodiment there is provided a method for forming a devicecontaining a plurality of patterned structures, said method comprisingexposing a plurality of layers of material comprising 2,7-disubstituted9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, to apatterned area of radiation, such as ultraviolet light, that causes saidlayer of material to polymerise and then washing away the unexposed andunpolymerised material.

In one embodiment there is provided a structure that is fabricated (orobtainable) by exposing a layer of uniformly aligned liquid crystallinefluid or a glass formed (or obtainable) by cooling a uniformly alignedliquid crystalline fluid that contains cross linkable moleculescomprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals of theformula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, to apatterned area of radiation, such as ultraviolet light, wherein saidexposure to radiation causes said exposed layer of material topolymerise, and then washing away the unexposed and unpolymerisedmaterial.

In one embodiment there is provided a polarised light emitting structurethat is fabricated (or obtainable) by exposing a layer of uniformlyaligned liquid crystalline fluid or a glass formed (or obtainable) bycooling a uniformly aligned liquid crystalline fluid that contains crosslinkable molecules comprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, to apatterned area of radiation, optionally ultraviolet light, wherein saidexposure to radiation causes said exposed layer of material topolymerise, and then washing away the unexposed and unpolymerisedmaterial.

In one embodiment there is provided a device comprising two or more ofthe above described patterned polarised light emitting structureswherein at least a first polarised light emitting structure has apolarisation axis of light emission that is not aligned with that of atleast a second polarised light emitting structure.

In one embodiment there is provided a 3D display produced (orobtainable) by sequential deposition of aligned layers of uniformlyaligned liquid crystalline fluid or a glass formed (or obtainable) bycooling a uniformly aligned liquid crystalline fluid that contains crosslinkable molecules comprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorenediradicals of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups, sequentialpolymerisation of patterned areas of each layer in turn, andsequentially washing away unpolymerised areas of each layer in turn soas to provide light emitting structures such that the liquid crystallinealignment and thus the polarisation axis of light emission of eachrespective layer is in a different direction to that of the polarisationaxis of light emission in the respective adjacent layers.

In one embodiment there is provided a device comprising a polymercomprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene repeat units

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided an OLED device comprising a lightemitting polymer comprising the 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkylfluorene repeat unit

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups.

In one embodiment there is provided a OLED device containing a polymercomprising 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene repeat units

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups and in whichthis polymer is utilised as a light emitting dopant in a host materialthat has a liquid crystalline structure.

In one aspect the invention relates to the compound

wherein R in each case is a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄alkyl, C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₄ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group,optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 CH₂ groups are replaced by an oxygenprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present inthe R group. In a preferred embodiment R in each case is a straight orbranched achiral C₂₋₁₀ alkyl group. In a preferred embodiment R in eachcase is a straight chain C₂₋₁₀ alkyl group. In a preferred embodiment ofthese compounds the R groups are identical.

In one aspect the invention relates to a process for making a materialof structure B¹—S²-A-S¹—S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a) involving thestep of alkylating a phenolic oxygen with a compound of structure

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl or C₅₋₉heteroaryl;

L₁ and L₂ are independently selected leaving groups, optionally selectedfrom Cl, Br, I, O-Tosyl, O-Mesyl or O-Triflyl; and

m and n are an integer from 1 to 10.

In one aspect the invention relates todiethyl-2,5-di(bromohexyl)oxyterephthalate,diethyl-2,5-di(chlorohexyl)oxyterephthalate,diethyl-2,5-di(iodohexyl)oxyterephthalate and analogous compounds withC₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl or C₅₋₉ heteroaryl ester groups. In one aspectthe invention relates to the use ofdiethyl-2,5-di(bromohexyl)oxyterephthalate,diethyl-2,5-di(chlorohexyl)oxyterephthalate anddiethyl-2,5-di(iodohexyl)oxyterephthalate and analogous compounds withmethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl ester groups as intermediatesfor the elaboration of cross linkable materials with the generalstructure S³ as defined for compound (I), (Iv), (Iw), (Ix) and (Iz)above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an optical microscopy image of a compound of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph of luminance data.

FIG. 3 is an electroluminescence spectra graph.

FIG. 4 is an electroluminescence spectra graph.

FIG. 5 depicts plots of current density vs voltage J-V (left) and L-V(right) data of devices with an emissive layer consisting of compoundsof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an electroluminescence spectra graph.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict fluorescence spectra.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a compound ofthe D-S¹-A-S²—B¹ wherein the groups D, B¹, S¹, S² and A are the chemicalgroups defined herein. A represents a group of the formula—Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)—. The component parts of the system are connected toeach other through covalent bonds.

This group may also be presented as a compound of formula 1

So that the invention may be better understood the nature of theconstituent groups and their function is defined herein.Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)—

The compounds of the invention comprise a —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— group,abbreviated as A, that forms a “substantially linear”, or “lathe like”,aromatic core of the compound. In this structure FL is a fluorenediradical of the structure below

that is incorporated into the chain through covalent bonds at C-2 andC-7.

The integer n in —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— is from 1 to 8. In total each—Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— group comprises from 1 to 8 FL groups. In certainpreferred aspects, the number of FL each —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— group isselected from 1 to 6, 1 to 3, 3 to 6, or 5, or 6.

In the preferred aspect where the compounds of the present invention aresuitable for use as light emitters each —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— groupcomprises between 3 and 6 FL groups. This is because lower n values leadto molecules with lower light emission efficiency. In embodiments wherethe compounds of the present invention are suitable for use as a holetransporter, an electron transporter, or a host for a light emittingdopant, —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— groups with 1 to 3 FL groups are preferredbecause of their ease of synthesis, lower melting points and highersolubilities.

In this —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— or A structure the R groups of eachindividual FL are identical when n is greater than 1 because of thepotential for multiple isomers of the material that make purificationchallenging. For materials with n=1 having different R groups indifferent FL groups can be advantageous because this may cause themelting points to be lowered. The R groups are selected from straightchain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₄fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5CH₂ groups are replaced an oxygen so that no acetal, ketal, peroxide orvinyl ether is present. In other words, if more than one methylene groupis replaced by an oxygen atom it will be separated from the next oxygenatom in the chain by at least three covalent bonds. When the R groupsare alkenyl groups it is preferred that the alkene is a terminal alkenebecause the viscosity of the product can be lowered by incorporating aterminal alkene in the R group.

Ar¹ and Ar² in each occurrence are independently selected from the groupcomprising Ar^(a) and a bond. Ar^(a) represents a diradical comprising 1aromatic, heteroaromatic or FL moiety, or 2, 3, 4 or 5 aromatic,heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutually connected by a single bond.

The overall Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n) chain is “substantially linear” and isdevoid of significant branching that would destroy its linearity, itsability to align with adjacent molecules and favours liquidcrystallinity. Certain elements of the chain may project from the linearstructure. For example, when Ar¹ is a naphthalene-1,4-diyl, carbons 5 to8 project from the side of the chain even though the naphthyl structureis integral to the chain. It can be appreciated that although the chainas a whole is described as linear the nature of the chemical bonds thatconnect the component parts of the chain dictates that all the chemicalbonds in the chain will not be exactly aligned. So long as any curvaturein the backbone of the molecular core of the materials molecules doesnot destroy the liquid crystalline nature of the material or at leastits ability to be aligned by liquid crystalline molecules said curvatureis allowed. Similarly, branching that preserves the liquid crystallinenature of the material is also allowed.

R

R groups are selected from straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄alkyl, C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₄ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group,optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 methylene (CH₂) groups are replacedan oxygen so that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present.In other words, if more than one methylene group is replaced by anoxygen atom it will be separated from the next oxygen atom in the chainby at least three covalent bonds and no oxygen atom is connected througha single bond to a carbon-carbon double bond. In some aspects the Rgroups of each individual fluorene are identical. In another aspect theR groups on every fluorene in the chain are identical.

In a preferred aspect the R groups of each FL moiety are identical andare selected from the group consisting of straight chain or branchedachiral C₂-C₁₀ alkyl, C₂-C₁₀ haloalkyl, C₂-C₁₀ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₀alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, or 3 CH₂ groups are replaced anoxygen provided that no acetal, ketal or peroxide is present.

In a preferred aspect each hydrogen atom of each R group may beindependently substituted by a fluorine atom. When an R group containsat least one fluorine substituent it can be referred to as a fluoroalkylgroup. In a preferred aspect the fluoroalkyl group comprises at leastone hydrogen atom. Haloalkyl groups include groups substituted by Fl,Cl, Br and I. Preferred haloalkyl groups are fluoroalkyl, chloroalkyland fluorochloroalkyl groups.

In a preferred aspect the R group is an alkenyl group. Alkenyl groupscontain a carbon-carbon double bond. Preferred alkenyl groups containonly one carbon carbon double bond. In a preferred aspect, where the Rgroup is an alkenyl group it is a terminal carbon-carbon double bond. Ina preferred aspect the terminal alkene is of the formula —CH═CH₂.

As stated above, in some cases one or two or three or four or fivemethylene groups in the R group may be substituted for an oxygen atom.When this is the case the R group is an ether or polyether. Themethylene group is a CH₂ group. When two or more methylene groups arereplaced by an oxygen atom there are at least two carbon atoms in thechain between them. This is because peroxide, ketal, acetal and vinylether units are potentially unstable and are therefore not included inthe structure of the compounds of the invention.

Variation of the length of the R group is useful because the meltingpoint of the compound can be modulated. For example, when liquidcrystalline compounds are required it can be advantageous to use Rgroups with from 2 to 14 carbon and oxygen atoms in the chain becauseC₁-hydrocarbyl derivatives often exhibit elevated melting points. Inpreferred aspects the R groups contain between 2 and 10 carbon andoxygen atoms in the chain.

Introduction of oxygen atoms into the R group can advantageously be usedto modulate the temperature at which the compound undergoes its glasstransition and this can be an advantage for applications when glassymaterials are required.

Introduction of a carbon-carbon double can be advantageously used toreduce the viscosity of the material and this is especially interestingfor compounds that are to be solution processed. Introduction of acarbon-carbon double bond at the chain terminus is especiallyadvantageous for modulation of the viscosity of the material.

For application in electronic devices high purity material is requiredand the presence of any asymmetric centres in the hydrocarbyl group isdisfavoured. For this reason, in the compounds of the invention whereinthe R group is branched, the branching does not introduce a chiralcentre. This achiral branching advantageously circumvents problems withpurification that can be associated with diastereoisomeric mixtures ofchemicals. Introduction of branching in the group R can advantageouslybe used to modulate the melting point of the compounds of the invention.

Selected examples of FL structure with the R group drawn out in full arepresented below.

Compounds of the structure

are preferred intermediates for the synthesis of compounds containingthese fluoroalkyl fluorene derivative emitter cores due to theirsynthetic utility.

Ar¹ and Ar²

Ar¹ and Ar² in each occurrence are independently selected from the groupcomprising Ar^(a) and a bond. Ar^(a) represents a diradical comprising 1aromatic, heteroaromatic or FL moiety, or 2, 3, 4 or 5 aromatic,heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutually connected by single bonds.Diradicals are groups that are covalently bound to two other moietieswithin the overall structure of the compound, some typical examples arepresented below, * denotes the typical site of attachment.

The precise nature of the Ar^(a) groups selected is dependent on theproperties desired in the system. For example, if a light emittingcompound is required two, three, four, five or six contiguous FL groupsmay feature in the structure. Alternatively, a high proportion of Ar^(a)groups, for example 50% or more, may be FL groups.

The constituent aromatic and heteroaromatic group comprised by Ar^(a)can be selected from the group of C₆-C₁₆ aromatic group and C₄-C₁₂heteroaromatics that are optionally substituted. The optionalsubstituents may be selected from the group of C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or ethergroups which are optionally achirally branched.

Aromatic diradicals that are useful as Ar^(a) structural units in thematerials of the invention include, but are not limited to,1,4-phenylene, biphenyl-4,4′-diyl, terphenyl-4,4″-diyl,naphthalene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl,pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, perylene-3,10-diyl,pyrene-2,7-diyl, 2,2′-dithiophene-5,5′-diyl, oxazole-2,5-diyl,1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl, thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl,dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene-2,6-diyl, dibenzothiophene-3,7-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]bis[1]benzothiophene-3,9-diyl,thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole-2,5-diyl, oxazolo[5,4-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl,thiazolo[5,4-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl, thiazolo[4,5-d]thiazole-2,5-diyl,oxazolo[4,5-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl, thiazolo[4,5-d]oxazole-2,5-diyl,2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-4,7-diyl,4-thien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiazole-7,5′-diyl,4,7-dithien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiazole-5′,5″-diyl,imidazo[4,5-d]imidazole-2,5-diyl, 4-alkyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,4-aryl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl, 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,4-(p-tertbutylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl,di-1,2,4-triazolo[4,5-f:4,5-q]-5,6,12,13-tetrahydro-5,12-diazadibenz[a,h]anthracene-5,13-diyl,9-alkylcarbazole-2,7-diyl, 6,12-dialkylindolo[2,3-b]carbazole-2,8-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl,benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl,[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-2,7-diyl,benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bisoxazole-2,6-diyl,benzo[1,2-d:5,4-d′]bisoxazole-2,6-diyl,5,5-dioxodibenzothiophene-3,7-diyl, or6,12-dialkyl-5,5-11,11-tetraoxobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]bis[1]benzothiophene-3,9-diyldiradicals,

If hole transporting properties are desired then indole and thiophenecontaining moieties such as those presented below may be preferred, *denotes the typical site of attachment.

If electron transporting properties are desired then oxazole containingmoieties such as those presented below may be preferred, * denotes thetypical site of attachment.

In a preferred aspect the compound is an emitter material and n is from1 to 6. In a further preferred aspect n is 3 to 6. In a preferred aspectn is 5 or 6. In a preferred aspect n is 5. In a further preferred aspectn is 6. Longer molecules are preferred because device energy efficiencyincreases with increasing length of the aromatic core of the molecule.There is evidence from luminescence decay time measurements that theincrease in energy efficiency is due to triplet-triplet excitonannihilation that occurs in the longer molecular cores, but is lesslikely to occur in shorter molecular cores. Further small increases inenergy efficiency can be achieved by lengthening the molecular coreseven further to n=7 or 8, but increases in efficiency has to be balancedwith the increased cost of synthesising such molecules.

A further preferred aspect of the invention is that emitter materials ofthe invention comprise molecular core structures, A, are terminated withFL units. In charge transporting or host material molecules thetermination of the molecular cores with Ar units such asbiphenyl-4,4′-diyl can be advantageous because the liquid crystallineproperties of the materials can be enhanced and charge carrier transportcan be enhanced by strong intermolecular interactions mediated by π-πinteractions between the terminal Ar groups. However, in the case ofemitter materials, these same interactions can lead to quenching of theexciton energy and terminal FL groups with relative bulky substituentsat the 9-positions are therefore preferred.

Flexible Linker Groups S¹, S^(1a), S² and S^(2a)

When D represents a cross linkable group the compounds of the inventioncontain two flexible linker groups S¹ and S². As discussed herein, D canalso represent a more complex structure containing additional flexiblelinker groups S^(1a) and S^(2a) that are analogous to the S¹ and S²groups. In each occurrence S¹, S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) are independentlyselected from straight chain or branched achiral C₅-C₁₄ alkyl groups,optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 methylene groups are substituted foran oxygen atom, provided that R contains no peroxide, ketal or acetalgroups, that is connected to A through either a bond or an ether, ester,carbonate, thioether, amine or amide linkage and that is connectedthrough either a bond or an ether, ester, carbonate, thioether, amine oramide linkage to D, B¹, B², B³ or S³ as determined by the nature of D.

The flexible linker groups S¹, S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) serve to separatethe fluorophore system within A from the cross linkable groups. When thematerial is cross linked into a network polymer matrix, the flexiblelinker mechanically and electronically isolates the fluorophore from thepolymeric matrix. Thus when the material is cross linked into a polymermatrix, the flexible linker serves to reduce non-emissive excitonquenching thereby favouring efficient light emission.

D, B¹, B² and B³

D represents a cross linkable group or, when B¹ represents a hydrogen, Drepresents —B²—S³—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)—B³S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a), —S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),S³(B²)(B³) or a cross linkable group wherein the dash at the left-handend of the chain represents the point of attachment to S¹. B¹, B² and B³each independently represent a cross linking group or a hydrogen.

The compounds of the invention therefore comprises cross linking groupand form, when cross linked, network polymers. This is because preferredcross linking groups react with two other cross linking groups to yielda chain reaction and a polymer matrix.

In a preferred aspect, cross linking groups are selected from the groupof ethylenic, diene, thiol and oxetane cross linkable groups. Ethyleniccross linkable groups are cross linkable groups containing acarbon-carbon double bond. In a preferred aspect, all of the crosslinking groups independently represent an ethylenic cross linking group.Favoured ethylenic cross linking groups include electron rich andelectron poor ethylenic cross linking groups.

In a preferred aspect the cross linkable groups undergo cross linkingreaction on exposure to radiation. In a preferred aspect the crosslinkable groups undergo cross linking reaction on exposure toultra-violet (UV) light.

Examples of preferred cross linking groups are straight chain and cyclicα,β-unsaturated esters, α,β-unsaturated amides, vinyl ethers andnon-conjugated diene cross linking groups. Favoured cross linking groupstherefore include methacrylate, ethacrylate, ethylmaleato,ethylfumarato, N-maleimido, vinyloxy, alkylvinyloxy, vinylmaleato,vinylfumarato, N-(2-vinyloxymaleimido), 1,4-pentadien-3-yl and1,4-cyclohexadienyl groups.

In a preferred aspect the cross linking groups are electron-richethylenic cross linkable groups. Electron rich ethylenic cross linkablegroups contain an ethylene group substituted with one or more electrondonating groups. The electron donating group can comprise a heteroatomsuch as O, N or S. In a preferred aspect the electron rich crosslinkable group is a vinyloxy group. Other electron donating groupsubstituted crosslinking groups are 1-alkenyl ethers such aspropen-1-yloxy groups and buten-1-yloxy groups; cyclic vinyl ethers suchas cyclohexen-1-yloxy and cyclopentene-1-yloxy; bicyclic vinyl etherssuch as 2-norbornen-2-yloxy groups and groups in which the vinyl etherfunction is connected to the flexible linker or spacer (S¹, S^(1a), S²,S^(2a) or S³) through an intervening hydrocarbyl structure such as4-vinyloxyphenyloxy and 2-vinyloxyethyl groups.

In a preferred aspect the cross linking groups are electron-poorethylenic cross linkable groups. Electron deficient ethylenic crosslinkable groups contain an ethylene group substituted with one or moreelectron withdrawing groups. The electron withdrawing group may comprisea carbonyl group and may for example be an ester or an amide. In apreferred aspect the electron deficient cross linkable group comprises amonoalkylmaleate group, a monoalkylfumarate group, a monoarylmaleategroup, a monoarylfumarate group or a maleimide group. Other examples ofelectron deficient crosslinking groups are 4,4,4-trifluorocrotonategroups, Z-4,4,4-trifluorobutenoate groups,3-trifluoromethyl-4,4,4-trifluorocrotonate groups, Z- andE-3-cyanoacrylates, Z- and E-3-cyanomethacrylates, monoalkylcyclohexene-1,2-dicarboxylates, and monoalkylcyclopentene-1,2-dicarboxylates.

As stated above, D represents a cross linkable group or, when B¹represents a hydrogen, D can represent —B²—S³—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a), —S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),or —S³(B²)(B³) or a crosslinking group wherein the dash at the left-handend of the chain represents the point of attachment to S¹

Thus, in one aspect D is of the structure—B²—S³—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a) and all elements of D are connected ina linear chain. An example of this arrangement, wherein for the purposesof illustration the cross linkable groups B² and B³ are monomethylmaleate groups and B¹ and B^(1a) represent hydrogen, the overallstructure is the “type 1” S³ spacer presented below.

“Type 1” S³ Spacer

In a second aspect, D is of the structure —S³(B²)—B³—S¹-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a)and one cross linkable group, B², forms a side chain branching from andattached to S³. An example of this arrangement, wherein for the purposesof illustration the cross linkable groups B² and B³ are monomethylmaleate groups and B¹ and B^(1a) represent hydrogen, the overallstructure is the “type 2” S³ spacer presented below.

Type 2 S³ Spacer

In a third aspect, D is of the structure S³(B²)(B³)—S¹-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a)both S¹ groups within the structure are bridged by the linker S³ towhich two cross linkable groups are attached and projects from. Anexample of this arrangement, wherein for the purposes of illustrationthe cross linkable groups B² and B³ are monomethyl maleate groups andB^(1a) and B¹ represent hydrogens, the overall structure is the “type 3”S³ spacer presented below

Type 3 S³ Spacer

In a fourth aspect, D is of the structure —S³(B²)(B³). In this structurethe spacer group S³ is decorated with two cross linking groups. Anexample of this arrangement, wherein for the purposes of illustrationthe cross linkable groups B² and B³ are monomethyl maleate groups and B¹represents a hydrogen, the overall structure is the “type 4” S³ spacerpresented below.

Type 4 S³ SpacerS³

D represents a cross linkable group or, when B¹ represents a hydrogen, Dcan represent

—B²—S³—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a), —S³(B²)—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a), or —S³(B²)(B³) or a crosslinkinggroup wherein the dash at the left-hand end of the chain represents thepoint of attachment to S¹ and where B^(1a) represents a hydrogen. Inthis structure a further spacer S³ is present.

S³ represents a non-chromophoric spacer group that may be rigid orflexible. S³ may comprise a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl group,a C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group, a C₆-C₁₆ aryl group or a C₄-C₁₅ heteroarylgroup or a chain consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀haloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₆ aryl and/or C₄-C₁₅ heteroarylmoieties each independently connected by a bond, an ether linkage or anester linkage. S³ is connected to B² and/or B³ through a bond, an ether,ester or carbonate linkage.

Preferred examples of the spacer S³ comprise a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group, aC₃-C₅ cycloalkyl group or a C₆-C₁₆ aryl group or a chain consisting of1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₆aryl and/or C₄-C₁₅ heteroaryl moieties each independently connected by abond, an ether linkage or an ester linkage.

Examples of Type 1 S³ spacer groups with B² and B³ crosslinking groupspresented for clarity are presented below (the wavy line indicates thepoint of attachment to S¹ and S^(1a)):

Examples of Type 2 S³ spacer groups with B² and B³ crosslinking groupspresented for clarity are (the wavy line indicates the point ofattachment to other chain components):

Examples of Type 3 S³ spacer groups with B² and B³ crosslinking groupspresented for clarity are (the wavy line indicates the point ofattachment to other chain components):

-   -   X, Y and Z are independently selected from bond, ether (O) or        ester linkage (—CO₂) a, b, c, d and e are integers that provide        for a C₁ to C₂₀ linkage (alkyl, haloalkyl)

Type 3 S³ spacer groups are of particular interest, as are the chemicalintermediates for incorporating these groups into the overallB¹—S²-A-S¹—S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a) structure. Preferredexamples of Type 3 S³ spacer groups comprise a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group, aC₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group or a C₆-C₁₆ aryl group or a chain consisting of1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₆aryl and/or C₄-C₁₅ heteroaryl moieties each independently connected by abond, an ether linkage or an ester linkage. In a preferred example theType 3 S³ spacer group comprises a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group, or a C₆-C₁₆ arylgroup or a chain consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 C₂-C₁₂ alkyl groupsand/or C₆-C₁₆ aryl groups each independently connected by a bond, anether linkage or an ester linkage. In a preferred example the Type 3 S³spacer group comprises 3, 4 or 5 C₂-C₁₂ alkyl groups and/or C₆-C₁₆ arylgroups each independently connected by a bond, an ether linkage or anester linkage.

In a preferred example, the Type 3 S³ spacer group comprises 5 groupsselected from C₂-C₁₂ alkyl and C₆-C₁₆ aryl groups that are eachindependently connected by a bond, an ether linkage or an ester linkage.In Type 3 S³ spacer groups it is preferred that the cross linking groupsB² and B³ are connected to C₃-C₁₂ alkyl groups, optionally C₄-C₁₀ alkylgroups, because this configuration provides greater structuralflexibility and facilitates eventual cross linking reaction of B² and B³with the cross linking groups present in adjacent molecules. Thisaffords the potential for cross linking under mild conditions andminimises and possible degradation.

In a preferred example, the Type 3 S³ spacer group comprises four C₂-C₁₂alkyl groups connected to a central C₆-C₁₆ aryl group by either a bond,an ether linkage or an ester linkage. In such Type 3 S³ spacer groupsthe other end of each independent C₂-C₁₂ alkyl groups terminates in aconnection to B², B³, S¹ and S^(1a), respectively. Examples of Type 3 S³spacer groups of this preferred variety are presented below wherein thewavy line indicates the point of attachment to other chain components, Sand S^(1a), the groups X, Y and Z independently represent a bond, anether linkage or an ester linkage, a and d is in each case an integerfrom 2 to 12 and a and c is in each case an integer from 1 to 11.

In a further preferred example, the Type 3 S³ spacer group comprisesthree C₂-C₁₂ alkyl groups and two C₆-C₁₆ aryl groups connected to eachother by either a bond, an ether linkage or an ester linkage. In suchstructures the each C₆-C₁₆ aryl groups is connected i) to the secondC₆-C₁₆ aryl group by a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group, ii) to a cross linker B² orB³ by a C₂-C₁₂ alkyl group and iii) directly to S¹ and S^(1a). Examplesof Type 3 S³ spacer groups of this preferred variety are presented belowwherein the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to other chaincomponents, S¹ and S^(1a), the groups X, Y and Z independently representa bond, an ether linkage or an ester linkage, b and d is an integer from1 to 11 and a and c is an integer from 0 to 10.

Examples of structures incorporating preferred Type 3 S³ spacer groupare presented below.

Examples of Type 4 S³ spacer groups with B² and B³ crosslinking groupspresented for clarity are (the wavy line indicates the point ofattachment to S¹):

The group D in some instances can therefore be appreciated to be of thegeneral structural types presented below.

wherein B¹ and B^(1a) represent hydrogens.

Further examples of structures D of the materials of the invention areprovided below for illustration. Branching in the R group can be used tomodulate the melting point of the material.

Material Properties

The materials of the present invention are particularly useful for boththeir charge transport and light emitting properties. As such thematerials described herein are useful in the fabrication of electronicdevices, for example organic light emitting diodes and photovoltaicdevices.

One advantageous property of the oligomeric materials of the presentinvention is that they are soluble in common organic solvents. This issignificant as the solubility properties of the oligomers provides adistinct advantage in terms of device fabrication relative to e.g.polymeric materials. In more detail, these oligomeric material may beused to fabricate devices via a solution processing approach. Inoutline, this involves first dissolving the material, applying thissolution to a substrate and then evaporating to generate a film coatingon the substrate. Once the material is deposited as a film the materialcan be polymerised in situ. This polymerisation may be initiated byexposure to radiation, for instance ultraviolet light, which causes thecross linkable groups of one molecule to cross link with those in anadjacent molecule to form a network polymer. Regions of the depositedfilm can be masked from the initiating radiation to give zones of noncross-linked material while zones exposed to radiation undergopolymerisation. If desired the unexposed, non-cross linked material canbe washed off to leave behind a patterned structure of cross linkedmaterial due to the cross linked material having negligible or reducedsolubility relative to that of the monomer. Iterative cycles of solutiondeposition and polymerisation can be used to generate structures withcomplex architectures.

Sequentially deposited polymerised structures can be assembled in a sideby side or stacked/layered manner. In one example, sequential depositionand polymerisation of red, green and blue emitting material in a side byside manner can be used to generate pixels for colour displays. Inanother example, a stack of red, green and blue emitter materials can beused to give a white light source. In another example, two or moreemitter structures can be arranged in a stack to give a coloured lightsource.

The ability to cheaply and economically produce multilayer devices inwhich adjoining layers have different highest occupied or lowestunoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO and LUMO) energy levels as well asdifferent charge carrier mobilities is of general utility in plasticelectronics. For instance, the equivalent of p-n junctions may be formedusing the materials and processes of this invention and these may findutility in diodes, transistors, and photovoltaic devices. The propensityof the materials of the invention to be photo lithographically patternedallows large arrays of plastic electronic devices of virtually any sizeand description to be fabricated.

Materials according to this invention may be mixed together to formliquid crystalline mixtures. This can be very advantageous from thestandpoint of optimising the material properties for the intendedapplication. For instance, individual compounds of the invention mayhave liquid crystal to isotropic liquid transition temperature far belowtheir melting points (monotropic liquid crystalline phases). In devicefabrication applications this can lead to glassy or supercooled liquidfilms of the materials that are sufficiently thermodynamically unstableso as to lead to the danger of crystallisation within the film andsubsequent destruction of useful electronic properties. Mixing multiplecomponent compounds together can depress the melting point of theresulting mixtures below the liquid crystal to isotropic liquidtransition temperatures or at least sufficiently suppresscrystallisation so as to eliminate this problem.

Another advantage associated with using mixtures of the materials of theinvention is that it may allow materials with otherwise highly usefuldevice application properties to be used even though they a have aparticular property that renders them unusable as a pure material. Forinstance it may be desired to prepare a light emitting polymer filmhaving a nematic liquid crystalline structure. A compound of theinvention may be a light emitting material of very high efficiency andpossess other useful properties, but at the same time may be found topossess a smectic rather than a nematic liquid crystalline phase. Bydissolving said desirable compound into a mixture of other compounds ofthe invention that have nematic phases, a mixture having the lightemission properties of the first highly desirable material combined witha nematic phase structure may result.

A further advantage associated with using liquid crystalline materialsor mixtures of material is that directional organised or anisotropicstructures can be formed. This directional order can be fixed in placeby cross linking the components of the deposited films, for example byexposing the deposited film to radiation such as ultraviolet light.

In one preferred instance, a liquid crystalline film can be depositedonto a substrate that is coated with an alignment layer such as aphotoalignment layer. The components of a photoalignment layer formdirectionally ordered structures on exposure to light. This directionalorder in the alignment layer can then transfer into the deposited liquidcrystalline film formed on its surface leading to a highly ordereddevice structure which can be locked in place by polymerising thecomponent oligomer by exposing the deposited ordered film to radiationsuch as ultraviolet light.

The potential to obtain highly ordered device structures can beexploited to generate polarised light emitting structures in which theemitter cores are aligned in the same direction and therefore emit lightin the same direction. Ultimately, the properties of the materialsdescribed herein afford the possibility to fabricate 3D-displays throughsequential deposition of aligned layers of uniformly aligned liquidcrystalline fluid or glass, sequential polymerisation of patterned areasof each layer in turn, and sequentially washing away unpolymerised areasof each layer in turn so as to provide light emitting structures suchthat the liquid crystalline alignment and thus the polarisation axis oflight emission of each respective layer is in a different direction.

The materials of the present invention also possess a number ofadditional desirable properties that render them useful for theproduction of electronic devices such as OLEDs. In organic lightemitting devices it is often also desirable to reduce theself-absorption of emitted light by organic luminescent materials. Thisself-absorption occurs because the spectral absorbance and emissionbands of organic luminescent materials overlap to a greater or lesserextent in various materials. A solution to this problem well known, forinstance, in the field of dye lasers is to dissolve the luminescentmaterial in a host with that absorbs light at a shorter wavelength thanthe luminescent solute. If the solution is dilute, for instance one totwo percent, the self-absorption of the luminescent solute is nearlycompletely suppressed. The facile mutual miscibility of the variouscompounds of this invention makes the preparation of solutions of thistype very easy. The materials of the present invention therefore areuseful as host materials as well as light emitting materials.

In organic light emitting device applications it is necessary that therebe facile excitation energy transfer from the host material to thesolute luminescent material. This is because charge carriers (electronsand holes) must be transported through the host medium to recombine toform the excitons (electrically excited molecular orbital states) thatradiate light. In a mixture composed mainly of component host moleculesthis recombination and exciton formation will mainly occur in the hostmolecules. The excitation energy then needs to be transferred from thehost molecules into the luminescent solute molecules. It is arequirement for this energy transfer that the spectral luminescentemission band(s) of the host material overlap the absorption band of theluminescent solute. Thus an important aspect of the invention is thepreparation of mixtures of the compounds of the invention that have thisspectral relationship between the constituent components. For instance,a compound which emits in the blue region of the spectrum can serve as ahost for a compound which is a green light emitter. A polymer filmprepared by the UV induced crosslinking of a solution of 5% blue emittercompound in green emitter compound will exhibit considerably lessself-absorption of the green light emitted by the green emitter thanwill a film prepared by UV crosslinking of pure green emitter.

To demonstrate the utility of the material of the invention exemplaryblue and green emitters (“Lomox Blue” and “Lomox Green” as presentedbelow) were incorporated into simple unoptimised OLED devices withoutcrosslinking. In these devices the emissive layer consists of one of theselected fluoroalkyl fluorene based emitters doped into poly(vinylcarbazole) (PVK), a standard host material. The overall structure of thedevices was ITO (125 nm)/PEDOT:PSS (50 nm)/PVK:Emitter (70 nm)/TPBI (30nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (100 nm). PEDOT:PSS is a standard hole injectionmaterial, and TPBI is a standard electron transport material. Indium TinOxide (ITO) was used as the anode, while the cathode consists of lithiumfluoride and aluminium. PEDOT:PSS and emissive layers were deposited ona pre-patterned glass/ITO substrate by spin coating, while the TPBIelectron transport layer and cathode layers were subsequently depositedby thermal evaporation.

Current voltage and luminance data for these devices are shown in FIG. 2which shows in the first graph: J-V (left) and in the second L-V (right)data of devices incorporating the emitters of the present invention asdopants in a PVK host.

For a device of the present invention with a blue emitter shown here,the doping ratio was 100:5 PVK:Emitter, while for the green device theratio was 100:15. Devices incorporating the blue emitter reached a peakluminance of 165 cd m⁻² at a voltage of 15 V, while for the greenemitter the peak luminance was 700 cd m⁻² at a voltage of 14 V.

Additionally, devices using the blue emitter as a host material for thegreen emitter have been fabricated, demonstrating that this material canbe used as a host as well. This device incorporated a layer of PVK as ahole transport/electron blocking interlayer, for an overall devicestructure of ITO (125 nm)/PEDOT:PSS (50 nm)/PVK (30 nm)/Lomox Blue:LomoxGreen (50 nm)/TPBI (30 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (100 nm). The ratio of Lomoxblue host to Lomox green emitter in the device shown was 85:15.

Current voltage and luminance data for this device are shown in FIG. 3.The peak luminance attained for this device was 595 cd m⁻² at a voltageof 14.5 V.

The electroluminescence spectrum of this device is shown in FIG. 4,showing predominantly green emission from the dopant emitter while aweaker peak of blue emission from the host material can be seen between350 and 450 nm.

Yet another advantage of using mixtures of the materials of theinvention is that it allows the use of mixtures of reactive mesogenmaterials in which photoinitiated electron donor/acceptor interactionsas opposed to ionic or free radical initiation are used to initiatepolymerization. This may result in much more stable (in terms ofshelf-life) reactive mesogen materials than in methacrylate-basedsystems, while at the same time maintaining low UV crosslinkingfluences. In these mixtures at least one of the reactive mesogenmaterials is substituted with electron-rich crosslinking groups while atleast one other component reactive mesogen material is substituted withelectron-deficient crosslinking groups. Ultraviolet radiation incidenton the material promotes the electron deficient crosslinking groups onsome reactive mesogen molecules into electronically excited states. Theexcited state, electron-deficient crosslinking groups then abstractelectrons from the electron-rich (electron donor) crosslinking groups onother reactive mesogen molecules initiating the copolymerizationcrosslinking reaction. Descriptions of this mode of photopolymerizationmay be found in, for example, “Photoinitiated radical polymerization ofvinyl ether-maleate systems”, Polymer 38, (9) pp. 2229-37 (1997); and“Co-Polymerization of Maleimides and Vinyl Ethers: A Structural Study”,Macromolecules 1998, (31) pp. 5681-89.

Electron-deficient crosslinking groups include maleimides, maleates,fumarates, and other unsaturated esters. Electron donor groups includevinyl ethers, propenyl ethers and other similar alkenyl ethers. Mixtureslike these are advantageous in that the individual components arethermally and photochemically stable with excellent shelf lives.However, when the materials are combined, the mixture has highphotochemical sensitivity and requires only a relatively small UV dosefor crosslinking.

Crosslinkable materials according to the present invention have beenused as the emissive layer in OLED devices. Measurements of the devicesdemonstrate that the light emitted originates from the crosslinked Lomoxlayer.

The structure of the devices was ITO (150 nm)/PEDOT:PSS (50 nm)/PVK (30nm)/Lomox emitter materials (65 nm unrinsed)/TPBI (30 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al(70 nm). Two devices (each of 4 pixels of area 4×4 mm) were fabricatedwith this architecture.

The emitter layer consisted of a blue host doped with a green emitter inthe ratio blue:green 90:10. This final ratio was achieved with a mixtureof (A, compound 43) blue fluorophore with maleimide crosslinker unit and(B, compound 41) blue fluorophore with vinyl ether crosslinker unit asthe host material, doped with (C, compound 58) green fluorophore withvinyl ether crosslinkers blended in the ratio 50:40:10 A:B:C.

The solution processable PEDOT:PSS, PVK and emitter layers weredeposited on a pre-patterned glass/ITO substrate by spin coating. Spincoating the Lomox emitter materials from 20 mg/ml toluene solution at2500 rpm for 60 seconds results in good quality uniform films with athickness of 65 nm.

After spin coating, the emitter layer was exposed to a metal halide lampwith broad emission from 280-450 nm (Dymax BlueWave 200) at a powerdensity of 5 W/cm2 for 15 seconds in an argon atmosphere to crosslinkthe material. This broad spectrum light source covers the 350-380 nmrange of excitation wavelengths at which the crosslinking process wasfound to be fastest for the Lomox materials used in these devices. Aftercrosslinking, one device was spin rinsed with toluene in order to removeany uncrosslinked material, and one device was left unrinsed forcomparison. The TPBI electron transport layer and cathode layers weresubsequently deposited by thermal evaporation.

Current voltage and luminance data for these simple unoptimised devicesare shown in FIG. 5. The device with a crosslinked and rinsed layer hasa turn on voltage of 7.5 V, above which the device emits with aluminance in excess of 10 cd/m², and reaches a peak luminance of 804cd/m² at 16.5 V. This demonstrates that crosslinking of these materialsresults in an insoluble, emissive film suitable for application in OLEDdevices. The current and brightness are higher for the rinsed devices asthe rinsed layer is thinner.

Electroluminescence spectra from these devices are shown in FIG. 6,along with the photoluminescence spectrum of the green material doped inthe blue host in a crosslinked thin film. These spectra clearly showthat the emission is green, and is therefore arising from the greenLomox emitter in the emissive layer. The spectral shift in emission onrinsing is likely to be an optical effect as the rinsed layer isthinner.

The stability of the 9,9′-(tetrafluoroalkyl) substituted fluoreneemitter core relative to the corresponding 9,9′-alkyl fluorene core wasevaluated by exposing a solution of each compound (“Lomox Blue” and“Standard Blue” as presented above) to irradiation with a 150 W xenonlight source and measuring the reduction of fluorescence intensity overtime. The results of this study (FIGS. 7 and 8) showed that the halflife of the 9,9′-(tetrafluoroalkyl) substituted fluorene emitter wasapproximately 5 times longer than that of the corresponding 9,9′-alkylfluorene. It is thus evident that the 9,9′-(tetrafluoroalkyl)substitution provides enhanced stability.

Further studies established that the absorption and emission propertiesof the 9,9′-(tetrafluoroalkyl) substituted fluorene emitter core and thecorresponding 9,9′-alkyl fluorene core were similar and that thefluoro-alkyl chains at the fluorene 9-position do not have a detrimentaleffect on the fluorescence efficiency of the respective fluorophore insolution.

The fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_(F)) is the ratio of photons absorbedto photons emitted through fluorescence. It reflects the probability ofthe excited state being deactivated by fluorescence rather than anon-radiative mechanism. In general, the higher the Φ_(F) the better, asit results in a more efficient OLED device. It is thought that shortfluorescence lifetimes may be more desirable for OLEDs due to theshorter time period that the molecule stays in the excited state and,thus, less chance of the molecule undergoing unwanted non-radiativedecay and a decrease in fluorescence efficiency. The Lomox Blue compoundproved to have a fluorescence lifetime in toluene solution of 15 nswhich is significantly shorter than that observed for the Standard Bluethat displayed a fluorescence lifetime in toluene solution of 75 nssuggesting the fluoroalkyl fluorene systems have further advantages inthis respect.

TABLE 1 Comparison of the Φ_(F) in the solid-state of Standard Blue andLomox Blue Compound Excitation λ Slit Width Φ_(F) Standard Blue 350 nm2.5 0.84 Lomox Blue m 0.95

The compounds of the invention exhibit high Φ_(F) in solution and solidstate (an integrating sphere was used for the solid-state Φ_(F)measurements) and also displayed efficient electrochemical stability andreversibility in DCM solution when studied by cyclic voltametry.

FIG. 1 demonstrates that compounds according to the invention can beliquid crystalline in nature. This polarising optical microscopy imageof compound 23 at 110° C. shows Schlieren with thread-like textures andindicates that the molecule adopts a nematic mesophase.

FIG. 2 which shows in the first graph: J-V (left) and in the second L-V(right) data of devices incorporating the emitters of the presentinvention as dopants in a PVK host.

FIG. 3 shows a normalised electroluminescence spectra of devicesincorporating the Lomox emitters as dopants in a PVK host. The spectrumof a plain PVK device is included for comparison.

FIG. 4 shows a normalised electroluminescence spectrum of deviceincorporating the Lomox green emitter as dopant and the Lomox blueemitter as host material.

FIG. 5 shows plots of current density vs voltage J-V (left) and L-V(right) data of devices with an emissive layer consisting of crosslinkedmaterials according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a normalised electroluminescence spectra of devices with anemissive layer consisting of crosslinked Lomox materials, as well as thephotoluminescence spectrum of the Lomox green emitter doped in the Lomoxblue host in a crosslinked thin film for comparison.

FIG. 7 shows fluorescence spectra for Lomox Blue/compound 1 (FIG. 7A)and Standard Blue/compound 2 (FIG. 7B) in toluene solution after varyinglengths of exposure to light from a 150 W xenon light source.

FIG. 8 shows remaining fluorescence intensity of the fluorescence peakat 391 nm for Lomox Blue/compound 1 (orange) and Standard Blue/compound2 (blue) in toluene solution relative to time irradiated by a 150 Wxenon light source.

SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES

The compounds of the present invention may be synthesised by commontechniques in organic synthesis well known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. Illustrative examples of how these compounds can be synthesisedare presented below. As can be appreciated, the nature of thesematerials allows a modular approach to synthesis to be adopted and thefluoroalkyl fluorene core can be integrated into a range of materials bystandard chemical techniques. In this manner the nature of allcomponents of materials, for example the core A, the various flexiblelinker/spacer groups (S¹, S^(1a), S², S^(2a) and S³) and the variouscross linkers and cross linker containing structures (D, B¹, B² and B³)can be readily adjusted to fine tune properties of the bulk materialssuch as melting point, liquid crystallinity and light emissiveproperties. The examples provided below are by way of example only andin no way limit the scope of the invention.

Octafluorinated Ketone 1

Methyllithium lithium bromide complex (6.6 mL, 9.9 mmol, 1.5 mM indiethyl ether) was added dropwise over 10 min to a stirred solution ofdiethyl carbonate (1.0 mL, 8.3 mmol) and1-bromo-1,1,2,2-tetrafluorooctane (3.2 mL, 20.5 mmol) in dry diethylether (150 mL) under argon at −78° C. The reaction mixture was stirredat −78° C. for 10 min, after which another aliquot of methyllithiumlithium bromide complex (6.6 mL, 9.9 mmol, 1.5 mM in diethyl ether) wasadded dropwise over 10 min at −78° C. The reaction mixture was left tostir at −78° C. for a further hour. The reaction was then quenched withconcentrated HCl (6 mL) at −78° C. and the mixture was allowed to warmto room temperature. The solution was washed with 2 M HCl (100 mL) andthe aqueous layer was extracted with diethyl ether (2×50 mL). Thecombined organics were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent wasevaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product mixture waspurified by vacuum distillation. The desired product 1 was obtained as acolourless oil (160° C., 1.3 mbar, 2.0 g, 5.0 mmol, 61%). ¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.90 (6H, t, J=7 Hz, CH₃), 1.29-1.41 (12H, m, CH₂),1.54-1.62 (4H, m, CH₂), 1.98-2.11 (4H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz,CDCl₃), δ=14.1 (CH₃), 20.3 (t, J=3.3 Hz, CH₂), 22.6 (CH₂), 29.0 (CH₂),30.6 (t, J=22.3 Hz, CH₂), 31.5 (CH₂), 110.6 (t, J=38.5 Hz, CF₂), 113.3(t, J=38.5 Hz, CF₂), 184.5 (m, C═O); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−118.3(CF₂), −113.2 (CF₂).

Octafluorinated Tertiary Alcohol 2

b n-BuLi (520 μL, 1.30 mmol, 2.5 M in hexanes) was added dropwise over30 min to a stirred solution of 2-iodobiphenyl (0.18 mL, 1.00 mmol) indry hexane (10 mL) under argon at −78° C. The mixture was stirred at−78° C. for 30 min and then allowed to warm to room temperature. Themixture was then stirred at room temperature for 30 min before beingcooled to −78° C. The octafluoronated ketone (0.50 g, 1.26 mmol) wasdissolved in dry hexane (10 mL) and then added to the reaction mixtureat −78° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperatureand stirred for 16 h. In the morning the reaction mixture was quenchedwith 5% HCl (30 mL), the layers were separated and the aqueous layer wasextracted with diethyl ether (2×30 mL). The combined organics werewashed with 5% HCl (30 mL) and water (30 mL). They were then dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure.The crude product was purified by flash chromatography (hexane to 5%EtOAc in hexane), which yielded the product 2 as a colourless oil (0.48g, 0.87 mmol, 87%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.90 (6H, t, J=7 Hz,CH₃), 1.26-1.33 (12H, m, CH₂), 1.43-1.51 (4H, m, CH₂), 1.90-2.03 (4H, m,CH₂), 3.20 (1H, s, OH), 7.09-7.12 (1H, m, Ar—H), 7.33-7.36 (2H, m,Ar—H), 7.39-7.42 (5H, m, Ar—H), 7.80 (1H, br s, Ar—H); 19F NMR (376 MHz,CDCl₃), δ=−114.9 (2F, d, J=286 Hz, CF₂), −113.8 (2F, d, J=284 Hz, CF₂),−110.8 (2F, d, J=260 Hz, CF₂), −108.8 (2F, d, J=260 Hz, CF₂), MS(ASAP+): 535.2 (100, [M−H₂O+H]⁺), 553.3 (30, [M+H]⁺).

9,9-bis(1,1,2,2-tetrafluorooctane) fluorene 3

The octafluoronated tertiary alcohol (2.0 g, 3.62 mmol) was dissolved ina mixture of thionyl chloride (7.9 mL, 109 mmol) and pyridine (1.6 mL,19.5 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under argon at 100° C. for3 days, after which the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to roomtemperature and was added dropwise to ice cold water (200 mL). Theproduct was then extracted with diethyl ether (3×100 mL). The combinedorganics were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporatedunder reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by flashchromatography (hexane to 5% EtOAc in hexane), which yielded the product3 as a colourless oil (0.3 g, 0.56 mmol, 15%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃),δ=0.80 (6H, t, J=7 Hz, CH₃), 1.06-1.30 (16H, m, CH₂), 1.46-1.58 (4 H, m,CH₂), 7.33 (2H, td, J=7.7 Hz, 1.2 Hz, Ar—H), 7.50 (2H, td, J=7.5 Hz, 1.0Hz, Ar—H), 7.75 (2H, br d, J=7.5 Hz, Ar—H), 7.79 (2H, br d, J=7.8 Hz,Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃), −109.7 (CF₂), −107.9 (CF₂).

2,7-dibromo-9,9-bis(1,1,2,2-tetrafluorooctane) fluorene 4

N-Bromosuccinimide (0.23 g, 1.31 mmol) was added to a stirred solutionof 9,9-bis(1,1,2,2-tetrafluorooctyl) fluorene (0.35 g, 0.66 mmol) in 12mL of a 5:1 acetic acid, concentrated sulphuric acid solution. Thereaction mixture was stirred for 16 h at 65° C. After cooling to roomtemperature the reaction mixture was poured into a 10% NaOH solution(100 mL) and the product was extracted from the aqueous solution withdiethyl ether (3×50 mL). The combined organics were washed with 10% NaOHsolution (50 mL) and water (50 mL). The organic layer was then dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure.The crude product mixture was purified by flash chromatography (hexane).This yielded the product 4 as a white crystalline solid (0.22 g, 0.32mmol, 48%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.83 (6H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃),1.13-1.26 (16H, m, CH₂), 1.62-1.76 (4H, m, CH₂), 7.57 (2H, d, J=8.2 Hz,Ar—H), 7.62 (2H, dd, J=8.2, 1.7 Hz, Ar—H), 7.88 (2H, br d, J=1.7 Hz,Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−109.1 (4F, t, J=19 Hz, CF₂), −107.2(4F, s, CF₂).

4′-octyloxybiphenyl-4-boronic acid 5

Potassium carbonate (9.43 g, 68.3 mmol) was added portionwise to astirred solution of 4-bromo-4′-hydroxybiphenyl (10.0 g, 40.1 mmol) and1-bromooctane (9.0 mL, 52.2 mmol) in butanone (100 mL). The reactionmixture was stirred at reflux for 16 h. In the morning the reactionmixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and the white solid wasremoved by filtration. The mother liquor was evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure and the crude product was purified by recrystalisationfrom ethanol. This yielded the product as a white solid (11.6 g, 32.2mmol, 80%). The 4-bromo-4′-octyloxybiphenyl (4.0 g, 11.1 mmol) wasdissolved in dry THF (100 mL) and cooled to −78° C. n-BuLi (5.3 mL, 13.3mmol, 2.5 M in hexanes) was added dropwise to this solution and thereaction mixture was stirred under argon at −78° C. for 1 h. Trimethylborate (2.47 mL, 22.1 mmol) was then added dropwise at −78° C. Thereaction mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and wasstirred for 18 h. In the morning a 2 M HCl solution (10 mL) was addedand the mixture was stirred for 1 h. The product was extracted withdiethyl ether (2×30 mL) and the combined organics were dried (MgSO₄),filtered and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crudeproduct was triturated under hexanes to yield the product 5 as a whitesolid (1.88 g, 5.8 mmol, 52%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, SO(CD₃)₂), δ=0.86 (3H,t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 1.26-1.45 (10H, m, CH₂), 1.72 (2H, quin, J=6.6 Hz,CH₂), 3.99 (2H, t, J=6.5 Hz, CH₂), 7.00 (2H, dt, J=8.9, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H),7.57-7.62 (4H, m, Ar—H), 7.84 (2H, d, J=8.3 Hz, Ar—H), 8.03 (2H, br s,OH).

Compound 6

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (37 mg, 10 mol %) was added to astirred solution of 2,7-dibromo-9,9-bis(tetrafluorooctyl)fluorene (0.22g, 0.32 mmol) and 4′-octyloxybiphenyl-4-boronic acid (0.26 g, 0.79 mmol)in degassed 1,2-dimethoxyethane (15 mL) and a degassed 20% solution ofNa₂CO₃ in water (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred under argon atreflux for 18 h. After completion the mixture was allowed to cool toroom temperature and the 1,2-dimethoxyethane was removed under reducepressure. The aqueous layer was diluted with water (100 mL) and was thenextracted with dichloromethane (100 mL, 2×50 mL). The combined organicswere washed with brine (70 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporatedto dryness under reduced pressure. The crude product mixture waspurified by flash chromatography (20% dichloromethane in hexane) andthen recrystalised from dichloromethane and ethanol to yield the product6 as a white microcrystalline solid (0.25 g, 0.23 mmol, 72%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.78 (3H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.0 Hz,CH₃), 1.06-1.53 (36H, m, CH₂), 1.56-1.65 (4H, m, CH₂), 1.82 (4H, quin,J=6.8 Hz, CH₂), 4.02 (4H, t, J=6.5 Hz, CH₂), 7.01 (4H, dt, J=8.8, 2.1Hz, Ar—H), 7.58 (4H, dt, J=8.8, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H), 7.67 (4H, d, J=8.6 Hz,Ar—H), 7.72 (4H, d, 8.6 Hz, Ar—H), 7.79 (2H, dd, J=8.0, 1.6 Hz, Ar—H),7.84 (2H, d, J=8 Hz, Ar—H), 8.08 (2H, br s, Ar—H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz,CDCl₃), δ=14.1 (CH₃), 14.3 (CH₃), 20.3, 22.5 (CH₂), 22.8 (CH₂), 26.2(CH₂), 28.8 (CH₂), 29.4 (CH₂), 29.5 (2×CH₂), 31.4 (CH₂), 32.0 (CH₂),68.3 (CH₂), 115.0, 120.3, 127.3, 127.6, 128.2, 128.7, 133.1, 139.1,140.1, 140.3, 141.1, 159.0; ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−109.4 (CF₂),−107.7 (CF₂); HRMS (ASAP+): m/z calculated for [M+H]⁺=1095.6266. found1095.6240.

4-Bromo-7-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-2, 1,3-benzothiadiazole 8

4-Octyloxyphenylboronic acid (1.02 g, 0.0041 mol),4,7-dibromobenzo[c]-1,2,5-thiadiazole (compound 7, 1.20 g, 0.0041 mol),K₂CO₃ (1.12 g, 0.0082 mol), toluene (30 ml) and water (15 ml) were alladded to a 3-neck round bottomed flask and the system was evacuated,with the aid of a vacuum pump, and filled with nitrogen 3 times.Subsequently, Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.24 g, 0.20 mmol) was added and the reactionmixture was heated to 90° C. overnight. The reaction mixture was pouredinto a separating funnel, in which water (10 ml) and more toluene (10ml) was added. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressurewith subsequent azeotropic drying using toluene. The crude product waspurified by gravity column chromatography (silica gel) using gradientelution (30% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes to 50% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes) to yield 8 as ayellow powder (0.65 g, 38%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.89 (t,3H), 1.26-1.52 (m, 10H), 1.82 (quint, 2H), 4.04 (t, 2H), 7.05 (d, 2H),7.53 (d, 1H), 7.85 (d, 2H), 7.90 (d, 1H).

4-(4-(Octyloxy)phenyl)-7-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole9

Compound 8 (0.60 g, 0.0014 mol), bis(pinacolato)diboron (0.40 g, 0.0016mol), potassium acetate (0.42 g, 0.0043 mol) and PdCl₂(dppf) (0.06 g,0.07 mmol) were added to a round bottomed flask and purged withnitrogen. De-gassed dry dioxane (15 ml) was added by syringe and thereaction mixture heated to 80° C. for 14 hours. The reaction mixture wasfiltered and the dioxane was removed using a rotary evaporator. Thecrude product was purified by gravity column chromatography (silica gel)using gradient elution (CH₂Cl₂ and 5% ethyl acetate in CH₂Cl₂) to yield9 a yellow-brown solid (0.34 g, 51%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm)0.92 (t, 3H), 1.28-1.54 (m, 10H), 1.48 (s, 12H), 1.85 (quint, 2H), 4.06(t, 2H), 7.08 (d, 2H), 7.68 (d, 1H), 7.94 (d, 2H), 8.26 (d, 1H).

Compound 10

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (10 mg, 8.7 mol) was added to astirred solution of 2,7-dibromo-9,9-(1′1′2′2′-tetrafluorooctyl)fluorene(61 mg, 87.7 mol) and compound 9 (90 mg, 0.19 mmol) in degassed1,2-dimethoxyethane (15 mL) and degassed 20% Na₂CO₃ solution (8 mL). Thereaction mixture was stirred under argon at reflux overnight. Aftercompletion the mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and the1,2-dimethoxyethane was removed under reduced pressure. The aqueouslayer was then extracted with dichloromethane (100 mL, 2×50 mL) and thecombined organics were washed with brine (70 mL), dried (MgSO₄),filtered and evapourated under reduced pressure. The crude productmixture was purified by flash chromatography (30% dichloromethane inhexane) and then recrystalised from a dichloromethane ethanol mixture.This yielded the product 10 as a crystaline yellow solid (69 mg, 57.0mol) m.p. 120° C. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.75 (t, J=7.0 Hz,6H), 0.91 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 6H), 1.06-1.16 (m, 12H), 1.20-1.27 (m, 4H),1.29-1.41 (m, 16H), 1.51 (quin, J=7.2 Hz, 4H), 1.58-1.69 (m, 4H), 1.85(quin, J=7.0 Hz, 4H), 4.07 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 4H), 7.10 (td, J=8.8, 2.5 Hz,4H), 7.79 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.87 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.95 (td, J=8.8,2.4 Hz, 4H), 7.98 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.28 (dd, J=8.0, 1.5 Hz, 2H) 8.40(br s, 2H); Mass (MALDI)=1210.5 (M⁺).

4,7-Di-2-thienyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 12

A solution with reaction mixture of4,7-dibromobenzo[c]-1,2,5-thiadiazole (compound 11, 2.00 g, 0.0068 mol),2-(tributylstannyl)thiophene (5.59 g, 0.0150 mol) and toluene (30 ml)was bubbled through with nitrogen to deoxygenate the solvent. Under anitrogen atmosphere Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.50 g, 0.43 mmol) was added and heatedat 90° C. with stirring for 3 days. The toluene was removed underreduced pressure and the crude product purified by gravity columnchromatography (silica gel) using eluent 30% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes followedby 2× recrystallisation from hexane to yield 12 as bright red crystals(1.21 g, 59%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 7.20 (dd, 2H), 7.45 (dd,2H), 7.88 (s, 2H), 8.12 (dd, 2H).

4-(5-Bromo-2-thienyl)-7-(2-thienyl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 13

N-Bromosuccinimide (recrystallised from water, 0.59 g, 3.3 mmol) wasslowly added to a solution of compound 12 (1.00 g, 3.3 mmol) in dry DCM(40 ml) and acetic acid (20 ml) in an ice-water bath with stirring. Theresulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature.The reaction mixture was added to DCM (500 ml) and a saturated aqueousNaHCO₃ solution (100 ml) was added. The organic layer was washed withwater (2×200 ml), dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated under reducedpressure. The crude product was purified by gravity columnchromatography (silica gel) using 20% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes to yield 13 as ared powder (0.75 g, 60%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 7.16 (d, 1H),7.22 (dd, 1H), 7.47 (dd, 1H), 7.79-7.82 (m, 2H), 7.87 (d, 1H), 8.13 (dd,1H).

4-(5-(4-Octyloxyphenyl-2-thienyl)-7-(2-thienyl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole14

4-Octyloxyphenylboronic acid (0.69 g, 2.77 mmol), compound 13 (0.70 g,1.85 mmol), K₂CO₃ (1.27 g, 9.23 mmol), toluene (40 ml), ethanol (5 ml)and water (20 ml) were all added to a 3-neck round bottomed flask andthe system was evacuated, with the aid of a vacuum pump, and filled withnitrogen 3 times. Subsequently, Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.10 g, 0.09 mmol) was addedand the reaction mixture was heated to 90° C. overnight. The reactionmixture was poured into a separating funnel, in which water (10 ml) andmore toluene (10 ml) was added. The organic layer was concentrated underreduced pressure with subsequent azeotropic drying The crude product waspurified by flash column chromatography (silica gel) using 30% CH₂Cl₂ inhexanes as the eluent to yield 14 as a red powder (0.55 g, 59%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.92 (t, 3H), 1.28-1.40 (m, 8H), 1.48 (quint,2H), 1.83 (quint., 2H), 4.03 (t, 2H), 6.97 (d, 2H), 7.24 (dd, 1H), 7.33(d, 1H), 7.48 (dd, 1H), 7.65 (d, 2H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 8.12 (d, 1H), 8.15(dd, 1H).

4-(5-(4-Octyloxyphenyl-2-thienyl)-7-(5-(tributylstannyl)-2-thienyl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole

All glassware were placed in a hot oven overnight prior to use andcooled to room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. n-BuLi (2.5M inhexanes, 0.17 ml, 0.41 mmol) was slowly added dropwise to a solution of2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (0.07 g, 0.50 mmol) in dry THF (5 ml) at−78° C. and stirred for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was warmed toroom temperature by removing the dry ice/acetone bath and stirred atroom temperature for 15 minutes, and again cooled back down to −78° C. Asolution of compound 14 (0.20 g, 0.40 mmol) in dry THF (15 ml) was addeddropwise to the lithium salt and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Finally,the reaction was quenched with tributyltin chloride (0.15 g, 0.13 ml,0.46 mmol) and stirred overnight at room temperature. Water was addedand a work-up was carried out using CH₂Cl₂, dried (K₂CO₃), filtered andconcentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product 15 was used inthe next step without further purification or characterisation.

Compound 16

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (5 mg, 10 mol %) was added to astirred solution of2,7-dibromo-9,9-bis(1′1′2′2′-tetrafluorooctyl)fluorene (35 mg, 50 μmol)and compound 15 (100 mg, 0.13 mmol) in degassed toluene (5 mL). Thereaction mixture was stirred at reflux overnight. In the morning thereaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and then washedwith water (20 mL) and the aqueous layer was washed with dichloromethane(2×20 mL). The combined organics were dried (MgSO4), filtered and thesolvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product waspurified by flash chromatography (5%-40% dichloromethane in hexane)which yielded the product 16 as a dark red solid (34 mg, 44%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.78 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 6H), 0.90 (t, J=6.9 Hz,6H), 1.09-1.40 (m, 32H), 1.44-1.52 (m, 4H), 1.62-1.75 (m, 4H), 1.81(quin, J=7.0 Hz, 4H), 4.00 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 4H), 6.95 (td, J=8.8, 2.5 Hz,4H), 7.31 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 2H), 7.52 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 2H), 7.63 (td, J=8.8,2.5 Hz, 4H), 7.77 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.84-7.93 (m, 6H), 8.11-8.16 (m,6H); Liquid crystalline transitions (° C.): [Cr glass N 170 I]. Mass(MALDI)=1538.4 (M⁺).

4-Octyloxybiphenyl-4′-yl boronic acid (compound 18, 0.52 g, 1.59 mmol),2,7-dibromo-9,9-di(1,1,2,2 tetrafluoropentane)fluorene (compound 17,0.42 g, 0.69 mmol), K₂CO₃ (0.48 g, 3.45 mmol), DME (15 ml) and water (5ml) were all added to a 3-neck round bottomed flask and the system wasevacuated, with the aid of a vacuum pump, and filled with nitrogen 3times. Subsequently, Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.08 g, 0.07 mmol) was added and thereaction mixture was stirred under reflux overnight. The reactionmixture was poured into a separating funnel, in which water (100 ml) andCH₂Cl₂ (100 ml) were both added, the water layer washed with CH₂Cl₂ (50ml) and the combined organic layers washed with water (100 ml) and dried(MgSO₄). After filtering off the MgSO₄ the crude product was purified bygravity column chromatography (silica gel) using gradient elution (20%CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes to 50% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes) to yield 19 a white powder(0.45 g, 64%). Liquid crystalline transitions (° C.): [Cr 151 (N 144)I]. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.77 (trip., 6H), 0.92 (trip., 6H),1.24-1.55 (m, 24H), 1.64 (quint., 4H), 1.85 (quint., 4H), 4.04 (trip.,4H), 7.03 (d, 4H), 7.61 (d, 4H), 7.68-7.87 (m, 12H), 8.10 (s, 2H).Liquid crystalline transitions (° C.): [Cr 151 (N 144) I].

2,7-Bis(4-hydroxybiphenyl-4′-yl)-9-9-di(1,1,2,2tetrafluoropentane)fluorene 20

Boron tribromide (0.50 g, 0.19 ml, 1.98 mmol) was slowly added to asolution of compound 19 (0.40 g, 0.40 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) in anice/salt/water bath. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperatureand stirred overnight. After TLC indicated total de-alkylation thereaction mixture was poured into an ice-water mixture (50 ml) andstirred for a further one hour. The aqueous layer was washed with moreCH₂Cl₂ (2×50 ml) and the combined organic extracts washed with water,dried (MgSO₄) and filtered. After concentration under reduced pressure20 was afforded as an off-white powder (0.25 g, 80.6%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.77 (t, 6H), 1.29 (quint., 8H), 4.85 (s, 2H), 6.97 (d,4H), 7.57 (d, 4H), 7.67-7.87 (m, 12H), 8.10 (s, 2H).

8-Bromo-1-vinyloxy octane 22

A one-neck round bottomed flask equipped with a water condenser wasdried under vacuum using a heat gun. After cooling down to roomtemperature 8-bromo-1-octanol (compound 21), vinyl acetate (dried anddistilled), Na₂CO₃ (dried at 80° C. under vacuum for 5 hours) and drytoluene (20 ml) were added and purged with nitrogen gas. The catalyst[Ir(cod)Cl]₂ was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 100° C.for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 50° C. and the toluenewas removed under high vacuum (oil pump) and the crude product waspurified by a short silica gel plug using 20% DCM in hexanes as thesolvent to yield a yellow oil (1.50 g, 60%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm) 1.30-1.45 (m, 8H), 1.65 (quint., 2H), 1.85 (quint., 2H), 3.40 (t,2H), 3.67 (t, 2H), 3.97 (dd, 1H), 4.16 (dd, 1H), 6.46 (dd, 1H).

Compound 23

Compound 20 (0.25 g, 0.32 mmol), compound 22 (0.19 g, 0.79 mmol), Cs₂CO₃(0.52 g, 1.59 mol) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (spatula tip) inbutanone (10 ml) were stirred at reflux overnight under a nitrogenatmosphere. The salts were filtered off, butanone removed under reducedpressure and the crude product was left over a one week period tocrystallize out. The resulting solid was washed with ethanol andfiltered to yield 23 as a white powder (0.18 g, 51.4%). Liquidcrystalline transitions (° C.): [Cr 85 N 121 I]. ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.77 (trip., 6H), 1.30 (quint., 8H), 1.35-1.55 (m, 16H),1.69 (quint., 4H), 1.85 (quint., 4H), 3.71 (trip., 4H), 4.00 (dd, 2H),4.04 (trip., 4H), 4.20 (dd, 2H), 6.50 (dd, 2H), 7.03 (d, 4H), 7.61 (d,4H), 7.68-7.87 (m, 12H), 8.10 (s, 2H).

A solution of maleimide (24, 2.50 g, 0.0258 mol) and furan (10 ml) inethyl acetate (20 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. Theresulting precipitate was filtered and dried under vacuum to yield awhite powder (3.00 g, 71%). The product 25 was obtained as a mixture ofendo- and exo-adducts (1.6:1). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) endoproduct: 3.6 (s, 2H), 5.35 (s, 2H), 6.6 (s, 2H), exo product: 2.9 (s,2H), 5.35 (s, 2H), 6.6 (s, 2H).

8-(3, 6-exo-oxo-Δ⁴-tetrahydrophthalimide)bromooctane 26

Compound 25 (0.76 g, 0.0046 mol), 1,8-dibromooctane (5.00 g, 0.0184mol), K₂CO₃ (3.18 g, 0.0230 mol) and DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 55° C.under a nitrogen atmosphere overnight. The DMF was removed under reducedpressure and DCM was added and the salts filtered off. The crude productwas purified by column chromatography (silica gel, 30% ethylacetate inhexane to 50% ethylacetate in hexane) to yield 26 as viscous liquid thatcrystallised overnight (0.40 g, 24%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm)exo product: 1.20-1.60 (m, 10H), 1.85 (quint., 2H), 2.9 (s, 2H), 3.40(trip., 2H), 3.50 (trip., 2H), 5.35 (s, 2H), 6.6 (s, 2H).

Compound 28

Compound 26 (0.30 g, 0.83 mmol), compound 27 (0.20 g, 0.28 mmol), TBAB(spatula tip) and Cs₂CO₃ (0.45 g, 1.38 mmol) in butanone (20 ml) werestirred at room temperature for 3 days and then 50° C. for 5 hours undera nitrogen atmosphere. The salts were filtered off, butanone removedunder reduced pressure and the crude product was subjected to columnchromatography (silica gel, 50% ethylacetate in hexane to 100%ethylacetate) to yield 28 as a viscous liquid (0.25 g, 71%). ¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) exo product: 0.70-0.85 (m, 10H), 1.10-1.60 (m,40H), 1.85 (quint., 4H), 2.10 (m, 4H), 2.85 (s, 4H), 3.50 (trip., 4H),4.00 (trip., 4H), 5.35 (s, 4H), 6.6 (s, 4H), 7.00 (d, 4H), 7.60-7.90 (m,18H).

Compound 29

Compound 5 (0.30 g, 0.23 mmol) was refluxed in toluene (10 ml) overnightto fully eliminate furan. The toluene was removed under reduced pressureto yield a viscous liquid that slowly crystallizes (0.27 g, 100%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.71-0.84 (m, 10H), 1.04-1.65 (m, 40H),1.83 (quint., 4H), 2.08 (m, 4H), 3.55 (trip., 4H), 4.04 (trip., 4H),6.71 (s, 4H), 7.02 (d, 4H), 7.59-7.82 (m, 18H). Liquid crystallinetransitions (° C.): [Cr 74 N 102 I]. Mass (MALDI)=1140.6 (M⁺).

Compound 32

A reaction mixture of 2-(8-bromooctyloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (compound30, 0.97 g, 3.30 mmol), compound 27 (0.80 g, 1.10 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.76g, 5.50 mol) in dry DMF (10 ml) was stirred at 100° C. overnight. Thereaction was cooled to room temperature and DMF was removed underreduced pressure. The crude product was dissolved in DCM and the saltswere filtered off. After removal of the DCM the crude product (compound31) was dissolved in methanol (20 ml) and refluxed with conc. sulphuricacid (1 ml). After one hour the reaction mixture was cooled to roomtemperature and the formed precipitate was filtered and washed withcopious amounts of water. After drying under vacuum the desired product32 was a white powder (0.80 g, 74%, over two steps). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.71-0.84 (m, 10H), 1.06-1.74 (m, 40H), 1.85 (quint.,4H), 2.08 (m, 4H), 3.69 (trip., 4H), 4.05 (trip., 4H), 7.02 (d, 4H),7.60-7.82 (m, 18H), —OH protons not detected.

Compound 33

DCC (0.24 g, 1.16 mmol) was added portionwise to a cooled (0° C.)solution of compound 32 (0.20 g, 0.20 mmol), mono-ethyl maleate (0.37 g,2.8 mmol) and DMAP (0.10 g, 0.82 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (6 ml) under anitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 h and theformed DCU was filtered and CH₂Cl₂ was removed under reduced pressure.The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel)gradient elution (10% ethylacetate in hexanes to 20% ethylacetate inhexanes) to yield a viscous oil which slowly crystallised to a white lowmelting solid (0.10 g, 40%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.70-0.83(m, 10H), 1.05-1.56 (m, 42H), 1.72 (quint., 4H), 1.85 (quint., 4H), 2.08(m, 4H), 4.04 (t, 4H), 4.22 (t, 4H), 4.28 (quint., 4H), 6.26 (s, 4H)7.02 (d, 4H), 7.60-7.82 (m, 18H). Liquid crystalline transitions (° C.):[Cr 43 N 78 I]. Mass (MALDI)=1234.7 (M⁺)

Compound 34

DCC (0.24 g, 1.16 mmol) was added portionwise to a cooled (0° C.)solution of compound 32 (0.20 g, 0.20 mmol), mono-methyl fumarate (0.26g, 2.03 mmol) and DMAP (0.10 g, 0.82 mmol) in dry DCM (6 ml) under anitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and theformed DCU was filtered and DCM was removed under reduced pressure. Theresulting residue was purified by column chromatography gradient elution(silica gel, 10% ethylacetate in hexanes to 20% ethylacetate in hexanes)to yield a viscous oil that slowly crystallised over a few days. Thenthe product was triturated with hexane and filtered to yield 34 as awhite powder (0.15 g, 60%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.72-0.84(m, 10H), 1.06-1.56 (m, 36H), 1.72 (quint., 4H), 1.85 (quint., 4H), 2.08(m, 4H), 3.84 (s, 6H), 4.05 (t, 4H), 4.24 (t, 4H), 6.89 (s, 4H) 7.03 (d,4H), 7.59-7.83 (m, 18H). Mass (MALDI)=1206.7 (M⁺). Liquid crystallinetransitions (° C.): [Cr 76 N 107 I].

Compound 35

Compound 27 (0.21 g, 0.29 mmol), 2-(8-bromooctyloxy)vinyl ether (0.16 g,0.66 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (0.20 g, 1.44 mmol) in DMF (10 ml) were stirred at90° C. overnight under a nitrogen atmosphere. The salts were filteredoff, DMF removed under reduced pressure and the crude product wassubjected to column chromatography (silica gel, 20% DCM in hexanes) toyield 35 as a white powder (0.05 g, 16.6%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm) 0.74-0.84 (m, 10H), 1.07-1.56 (m, 36H), 1.71 (quint., 4H), 1.85(quint., 4H), 2.08 (m, 4H), 3.72 (t, 4H), 4.00 (dd, 2H), 4.04 (t, 4H),4.20 (dd, 2H), 6.50 (dd, 2H), 7.02 (d, 4H), 7.60-7.82 (m, 18H). Mass(MALDI)=1034.7 (M⁺); Liquid crystalline transitions (° C.): [Cr 82 N 155I].

Synthesis of Cross Linkable Fluoroalkylfluorene Derivatives with VinylEther and Maleimide Cross Linking Groups

Compound 36

Synthesis of C8-diol (compound 36)

Boron tribromide (1.3 mL, 13.5 mmol), was added dropwise to a stirredsolution of C8-8 (compound 6, 2.94 g, 2.68 mmol), in dry dichloromethane(50 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to roomtemperature and then stirred for 16 h under argon. Ice water (50 mL) wasthen added to the reaction mixture and it was stirred for an additionalhour, after which the layers were separated and the aqueous layer wasextracted with dichloromethane (2×100 mL). The combined organics weredried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was removed under reducedpressure. The residue was purified by trituration under hexane whichyielded the product 36 as a white solid (2.01 g, 2.31 mmol, 86%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.78 (6H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 1.06-1.24 (14H, m,CH₂), 1.52-1.65 (4H, m, CH₂), 4.77 (2H, s, OH), 6.95 (4H, dt, J=8.7, 2.1Hz, Ar—H), 7.55 (4H, dt, J=8.6, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H), 7.66 (4H, d, J=8.4 Hz,Ar—H), 7.73 (4H, d, J=8.4 Hz, Ar—H), 7.80 (2H, dd, J=8.0, 1.5 Hz, Ar—H),7.84 (2H, d, J=8.0 Hz, Ar—H), 8.07 (2H, br s, Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz,CDCl₃), δ=−109.0 (CF₂), −107.2 (CF₂).

Compound 37

Synthesis of C8-mono octane (compound 37)

K₂CO₃ (0.64 g, 4.60 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution ofC8-diol (2.00 g, 2.30 mmol) and 1-bromooctane (0.44 g, 2.30 mmol) in2-butanone (100 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at reflux for 18h. The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature andthe remaining K₂CO₃ and salt were filtered off and washed withdichloromethane (50 mL). The filtrate was evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure and the crude product mixture was purified by flashchromatography (15-30% ethyl acetate in hexane). This yielded theproduct 37 as a white solid (0.86 g, 0.87 mmol, 38%) and the startingmaterial 36 as an off white solid (1.09 g, 1.25 mmol, 54%). The reactionwas run again using the recovered starting material 36 which brought theoverall yield of 37 to 1.41 g, 1.43 mmol, 62%. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃),δ=0.79 (6H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 1.05-1.66(30H, m, CH₂), 1.83 (2H, quin, J=6.8 Hz, CH₂), 4.02 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz,CH₂), 4.84 (1H, s, OH), 6.95 (2H, dt, J=8.6, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H), 7.01 (2H,dt, J=8.8, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H), 7.56 (2H, dt, J=8.6, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H), 7.59 (2H,dt, J=8.8 Hz, 2.1 Hz, Ar—H), 7.65-7.68 (4H, m, Ar—H), 7.72-7.74 (4H, m,Ar—H), 7.78-7.81 (2H, m, Ar—H), 7.84 (2H, d, J=8.0 Hz, Ar—H), 8.08 (2H,br s, Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−108.9 (CF₂), −107.2 (CF₂).

Compound 38

Synthesis of diethyl-2,5-di(bromohexyl)oxyterephthalate (compound 38)

K₂CO₃ (3.26 g, 23.6 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution ofdiethyl-2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate (1.00 g, 3.93 mmol) and1,6-dibromohexane (6.1 mL, 39.3 mmol) in 2-butanone (20 mL). Thereaction mixture was stirred at reflux for 16 h, after which the K₂CO₃and salt were filtered off and washed with dichloromethane (20 mL). Thefiltrate was then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and thecrude product was purified by flash chromatography (10% ethyl acetate inhexane). This yielded the product 38 as a white solid (1.91 g, 3.29mmol, 84%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=1.39 (6H, t, J=7.1 Hz, CH₃),1.50-1.52 (8H, m, CH₂), 1.79-1.93 (8H, m, CH₂), 3.42 (4H, t, J=6.8 Hz,CH₂), 4.01 (4H, t, J=6.4 Hz, CH₂), 4.37 (4H, q, J=7.1 Hz, CH₂), 7.34(2H, s, Ar—H).

Compound 39

Synthesis of G8-8-diethylester (compound 39)

Cs₂CO₃ (1.26 g, 3.88 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solutionof diethyl-2,5-di(bromohexyl)oxyterephthalate 38 (0.38 g, 0.65 mmol) andC8-mono octane 37 (1.40 g, 1.42 mmol) in dry DMF (25 mL). The reactionmixture was stirred under argon at 90° C. for 18 h, after which thereaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature. The Cs₂CO₃ andsalt were then filtered off and washed with dichloromethane (50 mL). Thefiltrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue waspurified by flash chromatography (dichloromethane). This yielded theproduct 39 as a white solid (1.15 g, 0.49 mmol, 75%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃), δ=0.78 (12H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (6H, t, J=6.9 Hz, CH₃),1.06-1.66 (74H, m, CH₂+CH₃), 1.79-1.90 (12H, m, CH₂), 4.00-4.06 (12H, m,CH₂), 4.38 (4H, q, J=7.1 Hz, CH₂), 6.99-7.01 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.36 (2H, s,Ar—H), 7.57-7.59 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.66-7.68 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.71-7.73 (8H,m, Ar—H), 7.78-7.84 (8H, m, Ar—H), 8.07 (4H, br s, Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−108.84 (CF₂), −107.21 (CF₂); MS (MALDI+): m/z calculatedfor [M+H]⁺=2384.2. found=2384.5.

Compound 40

Synthesis of G8-8-diacid (compound 40)

An aqueous 1 M solution of NaOH (10 mL) was added to a stirred solutionof G8-8-diethylester 39 (1.15 g, 0.49 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (12 mL).The reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 3 days. On completion thesolution was acidified with 2 M HCl and then extracted withdichloromethane (3×50 mL). The combined organic were dried (MgSO₄),filtered and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give thedesired product 40 as an off white solid (1.04 g, 0.45 mmol, 91%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.78 (12H, t, J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (6H, t, J=6.9Hz, CH₃), 1.06-1.66 (68H, m, CH₂), 1.79-2.02 (12H, m, CH₂), 4.00-4.06(8H, m, CH₂), 4.33 (4H, t, J=6.6 Hz, CH₂), 6.98-7.01 (8H, m, Ar—H),7.57-7.59 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.66-7.73 (16H, m, Ar—H), 7.78-7.84 (8H, m,Ar—H), 7.89 (2H, s, Ar—H), 8.08 (4H, br s, Ar—H), 11.09 (2H, br s, OH);¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−108.93 (CF₂), −107.20 (CF₂).

Compound 41

Synthesis of G8-8-VE (compound 41)

N,N′-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.16 g, 0.76 mmol), was added to astirred solution of G8-8-diacid 40 (0.45 g, 0.19 mmol) and4-dimethylaminopyridine (9.3 mg, 0.076 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (7mL) at 0° C. The mixture was then stirred under argon at 0° C. for 1 h,after which the 1,4-butanediol vinyl ether (0.089 g, 0.76 mmol) in drydichloromethane (3 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed towarm to room temperature and left to stir under argon for 18 h. Afterwhich the solution was diluted with dichloromethane (60 mL) and thenwashed with saturated NaHCO₃ (2×50 mL) and water (50 mL). The organiclayer was then dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was removed underreduced pressure. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography(dichloromethane). This yielded the desired product 41 as a white solid(0.25 g, 0.098 mmol, 51%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.78 (12H, t,J=7.0 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (6H, t, J=6.9 Hz, CH₃), 1.06-1.65 (68H, m, CH₂),1.79-1.92 (20H, m, CH₂), 3.74 (3H, t, J=6.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.98-4.05 (14H, m,CH₂+=CH₂), 4.18 (2H, dd, J=14.4, 2.0 Hz, ═CH₂), 4.36 (4H, t, J=6.2 Hz,CH₂), 6.47 (2H, dd, J=14.4, 6.8 Hz, ═CH), 6.99-7.01 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.37(2H, s, Ar—H), 7.57-7.59 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.65-7.73 (16H, m, Ar—H),7.78-7.84 (8H, m, Ar—H), 8.07 (4H, br s, Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz,CDCl₃), δ=−108.93 (CF₂), −107.21 (CF₂); MS (MALDI+): m/z calculated for[M+H]⁺=2524.3. found=2524.8.

Compound 42

Synthesis of N-decanol-maleimide (compound 42)

A solution of 10-bromo-1-decanol (2.9 g, 12.4 mmol) in dry DMF (10 mL)was added to a stirred suspension of furan protected maleimide (2.1 g,12.4 mmol, as a mixture of endo and exo isomers) and K₂CO₃ (1.7 g, 12.4mmol) in dry DMF (40 mL) under argon. The reaction mixture was thenstirred at 50° C. under argon for 16 h (reaction turned dark red incolour overnight). After which the reaction mixture was poured intowater (100 mL) and was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 mL). Thecombined organics were washed with water (100 mL) and brine (2×50 mL).The organic layer was then dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent wasremoved under reduced pressure. The oily residue was triturated with theaid of sonication under hexane which was then decanted off. This processwas repeated twice to remove any unreacted bromo-decanol. The oilyresidue was then dissolved in diethyl ether and filtered. The filtratewas evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to yield the product asa colourless oil which solidified on standing overnight at roomtemperature (2.3 g, 7.2 mmol, 58%).

The mixture of endo/exo N-decanol-furan protected maleimide (1.2 g, 3.6mmol) was heated to reflux in toluene (20 mL) and stirred at reflux for18 h. After which the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and thecrude product was purified by flash chromatography (30-50% ethyl acetatein hexane). This yielded the product 42 as a white solid (0.52 g, 2.1mmol, 58%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=1.22-1.35 (12H, m, CH₂),1.54-1.61 (4H, m, CH₂), 3.48-3.52 (2H, m, CH₂), 3.63 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz,CH₂), 6.68 (2H, s, ═CH).

Compound 43

Synthesis of G8-8-MI (compound 43)

N,N′-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.13 g, 0.64 mmol), was added to astirred solution of G8-8-diacid 40 (0.60 g, 0.26 mmol) and4-dimethylaminopyridine (3 mg, 0.026 mmol) in dry dicholoromethane (7mL) at 0° C. The mixture was then stirred under argon at 0° C. for 1 h,after which the N-decanol-maleimide 42 (0.26 g, 1.0 mmol) in drydichloromethane (3 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed towarm to room temperature and left to stir under argon for 18 h. Thesolution was then diluted with dichloromethane (60 mL) and then washedwith saturated NaHCO₃ (2×50 mL) and water (50 mL). The organic layer wasthen dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was removed under reducedpressure. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography (2%ethyl acetate in dichloromethane) which yielded the product 43 as yellowviscous oil (0.33 g, 0.12 mmol, 46%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ=0.78(12H, t, J=7.1 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (6H, t, J=6.9 Hz, CH₃), 1.06-1.65 (96H, m,CH₂), 1.72-1.89 (16H, m, CH₂), 3.47-3.50 (4H, m, CH₂), 4.00-4.05 (12H,m, CH₂), 4.31 (4H, t, J=6.7 Hz, CH₂), 6.65 (4H, s, ═CH), 6.99-7.01 (8H,m, Ar—H), 7.37 (2H, s, Ar—H), 7.57-7.59 (8H, m, Ar—H), 7.65-7.73 (16H,m, Ar—H), 7.78-7.84 (8H, m, Ar—H), 8.07 (4H, br s, Ar—H); ¹⁹F NMR (376MHz, CDCl₃), δ=−108.93 (CF₂), −107.21 (CF₂); MS (MALDI+): m/z calculatedfor [M+H]⁺=2799.5. found=2799.1.

4-Hydroxyphenylboronic acid (3.50 g, 0.0254 mol),4,7-dibromobenzo[c]-1,2,5-thiadiazole (compound 7, 10.0 g, 0.0340 mol),K₂CO₃ (10.5 g, 0.0761 mol), dioxane (150 ml) and water (30 ml) were alladded to a 3-neck round bottomed flask and three freeze-thaw-pump cycleswere carried out. Subsequently, Pd(PPh₃)₄ (1.47 g, 1.27 mmol) was addedand the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 2 days. The reactionmixture was acidified using 10% v/v dilute hydrochloric acid andextracted into CH₂Cl₂ (2×200 ml). The combined organic layers werewashed with water (2×200 ml), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the crudeproduct was purified by gravity column chromatography (silica gel) usinggradient elution (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes to 20% ethyl acetate inhexanes) to yield 51 as a yellow powder (2.70 g, 35%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 5.19 (br. s, 1H), 6.99 (d, 2H), 7.52 (d, 1H), 7.81 (d,2H), 7.90 (d, 1H).

4-(7-bromo-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-yl)-THP phenol 52

Compound 51, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, p-toluenesulphonic acid and dryCH₂Cl₂ was stirred at room temperature overnight (14 h). A few drops oftrimethylamine was added and the CH₂Cl₂ removed using a rotaryevaporator. The crude product was purified by flash columnchromatography (silica gel) using gradient elution (30% CH₂Cl₂ inhexanes to 50% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes to 100% CH₂Cl₂) to yield 52 a yellowpowder (1.50 g, 39%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 1.59-1.78 (m,3H), 1.88-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.99-2.09 (m, 1H), 3.61-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.96(m, 1H), 5.52 (t, 1H), 7.21 (d, 2H), 7.52 (d, 1H), 7.84 (d, 2H), 7.89(d, 1H).

2,7-Bis(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-9,9-di(1,1,2,2-tetrafluorooctyl)fluorene 53

2,7-Dibromo-9,9-di(1,1,2,2 tetrafluorooctane)fluorene (compound 4, 1.50g, 2.12 mmol), bis(pinacolato)diboron (1.24 g, 4.87 mmol), potassiumacetate (1.25 g, 12.7 mmol), PdCl₂(dppf) (0.17 g, 0.21 mmol) and drydioxane (50 ml) were added to a round bottomed flask. Threefreeze-thaw-pump cycles were carried out and the reaction mixture heatedto 90° C. for 2 days. The reaction mixture was filtered and the dioxanewas removed using a rotary evaporator. The crude product was purified byflash column chromatography (silica gel) using 10% ethyl acetate inhexanes as the eluent to yield 53 as a white powder (0.73 g, 43%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.80 (t, 6H), 1.02-1.21 (m, 20H), 1.36 (s,24H), 7.76 (d, 2H), 7.95 (dd, 2H), 8.19 (s, 2H).

Compound 54

Compound 52 (0.75 g, 1.92 mmol), compound 53 (0.70 g, 0.87 mmol), K₂CO₃(0.60 g, 4.36 mmol), toluene (20 ml) and water (10 ml) were all added toa 3-neck round bottomed flask and three freeze-thaw-pump cycles werecarried out. Subsequently, Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.10 g, 0.09 mmol) was added andthe reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 24 h. The reactionmixture was poured into a separating funnel, in which water (10 ml) andmore toluene (10 ml) was added. The organic layer was concentrated underreduced pressure with subsequent azeotropic drying using toluene. Thecrude product was purified by gravity column chromatography (silica gel)using gradient elution (50% CH₂Cl₂ in hexanes to 100% CH₂Cl₂) to yield ayellow powder (0.80 g, 91%). After the Suzuki cross-coupling the doublyTHP-protected compound was deprotected immediately, without structuralcharacterisation, by refluxing in MeOH (50 ml) and concentrated H₂SO₄ (5ml) for 2 h to yield 54 as a yellow powder (0.75 g, 96%). ¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.75 (t, 6H), 1.04-1.27 (m, 20H), 5.25 (br. s, 2H),7.03 (d, 4H), 7.77 (d, 2H), 7.87 (d, 2H), 7.91 (d, 4H), 7.98 (d, 2H),8.28 (dd, 2H), 8.40 (s, 2H).

Compound 55

Potassium carbonate (0.20 g, 1.46 mmol) was added to a solution ofcompound 54 (0.72 g, 0.73 mmol) and 1-bromooctane (0.14 g, 0.73 mmol) inbutanone (50 ml) and stirred at reflux overnight (oil bathtemperature=80° C., 20 h) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The salts werefiltered off, butanone removed under reduced pressure and the crudeproduct was purified by gravity column chromatography (silica gel) using20% ethyl acetate in hexanes to yield 55 as a yellow powder (0.30 g,38%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.75 (t, 6H), 0.91 (t, 3H),1.05-1.69 (m, 30H), 1.85 (quint., 2H), 4.07 (t, 2H), 5.01 (br. s, 1H),7.03 (d, 2H), 7.09 (d, 2H), 7.77 (d, 1H), 7.79 (d, 1H), 7.87 (d, 2H),7.90-7.99 (m, 6H), 8.28 (dd, 2H), 8.40 (s, 2H).

Compound 56

Cesium carbonate (0.20 g, 0.62 mmol) was added to a solution of compound7 (0.25 g, 0.23 mmol) and diethyl2,5-bis((6-bromohexyl)oxy)terephthalate (0.06 g, 0.10 mmol) in dry DMF(10 ml) and stirred at 100° C. for 24 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. Thesalts were filtered off, DMF removed under high vacuum (oil pump) andthe crude product was purified by gravity column chromatography (silicagel) using 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes to yield 56 as a yellow powder(0.25 g, 93%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.75 (t, 12H), 0.91 (t,6H), 1.06-1.89 (m, 86H), 4.06 (overlapping triplets, 12H), 4.39 (quint.,4H), 7.09 (d, 8H), 7.37 (s, 2H), 7.78 (d, 4H), 7.87 (d, 4H), 7.93-7.99(m, 12H), 8.28 (dd, 4H), 8.40 (s, 4H).

Compound 57

An aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (Ig in 10 ml H₂O) was added to asolution of compound 56 (0.20 g, 0.08 mmol) in THF (10 ml) and stirredat 60° C. for 48 h. The reaction mixture was acidified using 10% v/vdilute hydrochloric acid (10 ml) and extracted into CH₂Cl₂ (2×50 ml).The combined organic layers were washed with water (2×50 ml), dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent removed using a rotary evaporator toyield 57 as a yellow glassy solid (0.20 g, 100%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.75 (t, 12H), 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.06-2.03 (m, 80H), 4.08(overlapping triplets, 8H), 4.34 (t, 4H), 7.09 (d, 8H), 7.77 (d, 2H),7.79 (d, 2H), 7.87 (dd, 4H), 7.90-7.98 (m, 14H), 8.28 (dd, 4H), 8.40 (s,4H), 11.1 (br. s, 2H).

Compound 58

DCC (0.08 g, 1.16 mmol) was added at one time to a solution of compound57 (0.20 g, 0.08 mmol), 1,4-butanediol vinylether (0.09 g, 0.80 mmol)and DMAP (4 mg, 0.03 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) under a nitrogenatmosphere at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20h at room temperature and the CH₂Cl₂ was removed under reduced pressure.The resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography(silica gel) by gradient elution (10% ethylacetate in hexanes to 20%ethylacetate in hexanes) to yield 58 as a glassy green solid (0.10 g,46%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (ppm) 0.75 (t, 12H), 0.91 (t, 6H),1.06-1.89 (m, 88H), 3.75 (t, 4H), 3.99 (dd, 2H), 4.06 (overlappingtriplets, 12H), 4.18 (dd, 2H), 4.37 (t, 4H), 6.47 (dd, 2H), 7.09 (d,8H), 7.38 (s, 2H), 7.78 (d, 4H), 7.86 (d, 4H), 7.93-7.99 (m, 12H), 8.28(dd, 4H), 8.40 (s, 4H). Mass (MALDI)=2755.6 (M⁺).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device comprising a polymer comprising2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene repeat units of the formula

wherein R represents a straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl,C₁-C₁₄ haloalkyl or C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 of the methylene groups of R are replaced by an oxygen atomprovided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present, andpartially or fully fluorinated derivatives of these groups; wherein thedevice has a plurality of charge transport layers and/or emissive layersthat contain the 2,7-disubstituted 9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene repeatunits; wherein the layers are in the form polymerized patternedstructures formed by exposure to radiation patterns; and wherein thedevice contains two or more of the polymerized patterned structures,said structures being comprised of materials that are electroluminescentin nature, wherein the wavelength of electroluminescence emitted by onepatterned structure is different from the wavelength ofelectroluminescence emitted by at least one other patterned structure.2. The device according to claim 1 that contains a compound of Formula(I)D-S¹-A-S²—B¹,  Formula (I) wherein: A represents —Ar¹—(FL-Ar²)_(n)— andcomprises from 1 to 8 FL groups; Ar¹ and Ar² in each occurrence areindependently selected from the group comprising Ar^(a) and a bond;Ar^(a) represents a diradical comprising 1 aromatic, heteroaromatic orFL moiety, or 2, 3, 4 or 5 aromatic, heteroaromatic and/or FL moietiesmutually connected by a single bond; n is an integer from 1 to 8; FL isa fluorene moiety of the structure

incorporated into the chain through covalent bonds at C-2 and C-7; the Rgroups of each FL moiety are identical and are selected from the groupconsisting of straight chain or branched achiral C₁-C₁₄ alkyl, C₁-C₁₄haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₄ fluoroalkyl, C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group, optionally wherein1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 CH₂ groups are replaced by an oxygen provided that noacetal, ketal, peroxide or vinyl ether is present in the R group; Drepresents a cross linkable group or, when B¹ represents a hydrogen, Drepresents —B²—S³—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)—B³—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a), —S³(B²)(B³)—S^(1a)-A-S^(2a)—B^(1a),—S³(B²)(B³), or a cross linkable group wherein the dash at the left-handend of the chain represents the point of attachment to S¹; B¹ representsa cross linkable group or a hydrogen atom; B^(1a) represents a crosslinkable group or a hydrogen atom; B² and B³ each represents a crosslinkable group; S¹, S², S^(1a) and S^(2a) are flexible linker groups;and S³ is a spacer group.
 3. The device according to claim 2 whereinAr^(a) represents a diradical comprising a C₆-C₁₆ aromatic, C₄-C₁₂heteroaromatic or FL moiety, or 2 or 3 C₆-C₁₆ aromatic, C₄-C₁₂heteroaromatic and/or FL moieties mutually connected by a single bond.4. The device according to claim 2 wherein S¹, S^(1a), S² and S^(2a) ineach occurrence are independently selected from straight chain orbranched achiral C₅-C₁₄ alkyl groups, optionally wherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5methylene groups are substituted for an oxygen atom provided that noacetal, ketal or peroxide is present, that is connected to A througheither a bond or an ether, ester, carbonate, thioether, amine or amidelinkage and that is connected through either a bond or an ether, ester,carbonate, thioether, amine or amide linkage to D, B¹, B², B³ or S³ asdetermined by the nature of D.
 5. The device according to claim 2wherein B¹, B², B³ and D when it represents a crosslinking group in eachoccurrence independently represents a radiation activated cross linkinggroup, optionally wherein said radiation is ultraviolet light.
 6. Thedevice according to claim 2 wherein S³ represents a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group,C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl group, a C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group, a C₆-C₁₆ aryl group ora C₄-C₁₅ heteroaryl group or a chain consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ haloalkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₆ aryl and/orC₄-C₁₅ heteroaryl moieties each independently connected by a bond, anether linkage or an ester linkage.
 7. The device of claim 2 in the formof an OLED device.
 8. The device of claim 1 comprising an interfacebetween a hole transporting layer and an electron transporting layerwherein at least one of said layers contains said 2,7-disubstituted9,9-fluoroalkyl fluorene diradicals, optionally wherein the device is aphotovoltaic device or a thin film transistor (TFT) device.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 1 in the form of an OLED device.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 CH₂ groups arereplaced by an oxygen provided that no acetal, ketal, peroxide or vinylether is present in the R group.
 11. The device according to claim 1,wherein the R groups of each individual fluorene are identical.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 11, wherein the R groups of every fluorene inthe polymer are identical.
 13. The device according to claim 1, whereinR is a C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl group.
 14. The device according to claim 13,wherein the alkenyl group includes only one carbon-carbon double bond.15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the carbon-carbon doublebond is terminal.
 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein R groupscontain between 2 and 10 carbon and oxygen atoms in the chain.
 17. Thedevice according to claim 16, wherein each R in is a straight chain orbranched achiral C₂₋₁₀ alkyl.
 18. The device according to claim 1,wherein the R groups are selected from among the following: